minor bush and table kiwifruit apricot cherry strawberry fruit species almond apple walnut pear peach cane berries plum grapes

BOUCHE DE BETIZAC

40 VIVAI F.LLI ZANZI minor bush and table kiwifruit apricot chestnut cherry strawberry fruit species almond apple walnut pear peach cane berries plum grapes chestnut talian production of surpasses 50,000 metric tons annually, approximately half of chestnut Iproduction in Europe. dominates the international market with production of over a million metric tons annually of Asian chestnuts, different from European varieties belonging to the species , which are known to be of better quality. In the last twenty years the Italian chestnut industry has revived. Many old chestnut groves have been pruned for renewal, the damage from has receded and the market for high quality nuts (European chestnuts and hybrids) has been profitable and encouraging for growers. The revival of the chestnut industry has given birth to the concept of the specialized orchard planted with chestnut varieties to provide high quality nuts for fresh consumption and upmarket sweets. The fresh market demands large chestnuts (for roasting and boiling), while the processing industry requires easily peeled chestnuts suitable for candying, syrups and “marron glacè”. Both markets prefer and pay more for large nuts of European varieties. Unfortunately, the Oriental chestnut , a dangerous parasite imported from China, has been present in for the last ten years, first in the province of Cuneo and now spread throughout Italy. The gall wasps, classified in the order , afflict chestnut shoots by damaging growth and preventing female flowers from blooming, thus seriously compromising yield. Releases of a natural parasite of the wasp, imported from Japan (Torymus sinensis) seem to have been effective, and may be able to contain the damage from the gall wasp.

CLIMATE sativa), members of the spe- CULTIVATED AND SOIL cies C. mollissima Bl. (Chinese VARIETIES chestnut), C. crenata Sieb. and Chestnut is native to southern Zucc. (Japanese chestnut) and a) European chestnut Europe. Its ideal habitat is from Euro-Japanese hybrids. The Eu- (C. sativa Mill.). 600 to 800 m above sea level but ropean chestnut is used for both - Varieties for fresh use and can be found above 1000 m in nuts and lumber, while the Asian processing: Fiorentino or southern areas of its range. species are used primarily for Casentinese, Castel del Rio, Chestnut prefers deep, moist, nuts. di Marradi, Chiusa Pesio, Lu- sub-acidic (pH between 5 and 6.5) soils with balanced com- position of clay-sand-loam and without active lime. The trees suffer from high sum- mer temperatures and from winter lows under -16 to -18°C. Chestnut requires fair amount of water, at least 700 mm annually, well-distributed through the year. Chestnut prefers south-eastern, southern, south-western or western exposures in temperate climate zones.

SPECIES

The wide assortment of chestnut varieties includes, in addition to European chestnut (Castanea

VIVAI F.LLI ZANZI 41 CHESTNUT_VISION© for the detection of chestnuts’ quality

SIZE

EXTERNAL DEFECTS

A significant advance in the automated selection of chestnuts

“WE BUILD” INNOVATION! to give RESULTS!

UNITEC S.p.A. Via Provinciale Cotignola, 20/9 48022 - Lugo (RA) Italy tel. +39 0545 288884 Email: [email protected] www.unitec-group.com bush and table walnut pear peach cane berries plum grapes chestnut

PRUNING

The vase training system is particularly suited for Euro- pean cultivars. The trees have 3-4 main scaffold branches at 150-180 cm height to allow the free passage of vehicles underneath. The branches are spaced evenly around the trunk, with a correct insertion angle, with the goal of form- ing an open vase. At the end of the fourth year the plants have usually attained the de- sired form, and pruning is lim- serna, Val Susa (in Italy) and ORCHARD PLANNING ited to thinning to favour light Montagne, Sardonne, Com- penetration in the canopy, re- balle (in ) Chestnut (C. sativa) prefers zones moval of dead, rotten or dam- - Varieties only used fresh: with annual mean temperature of aged branches and to promote Tempurive, Castagne della 8-15 °C and tolerates some win- growth. Orchards with close Madonna, Precoce di Roc- ter cold (-15 °C). New plantings tree spacing or Euro-Japanese camonfina, Garrone rosso, do best in hilly areas or low moun- hybrids may adopt the pyramid Garrone nero, Gioviasca, Bi- tains, with good sun exposure training system, with a central onda di Mercogliano e Mon- and low risk of late spring frosts. axis and lateral branches with temarano; The ideals soil are medium to wide insertion angle spaced -Varieties for drying and milling: deep, light textured, fertile, acidic around this axis. Frattona, Gabbiana, Siria, (pH 5-6.5) and well-drained. Tree Pastinese e Carpinese. spacing depends on the vigour of b) Euro-Japanese hybrids. the cultivar and of the rootstock. FERTILISATION Trees come into production European chestnuts require 10 x precociously (two-three years 12 m to 12 x 12 m and the less An initial soil fertilisation is after planting). They are har- vigorous Euro-Japanese hybrids used to correct any insufficien- vested earlier in the season 8 x 8 m (see figure) to 10 x 10 cies discovered with soil tests. (September), so they are of- m. Before planting the orchard it Generally, organic fertilisation ten planted for the production is important to be sure that the is recommended, with the ad- for early market. These trees chosen cultivars are genetically dition of 30-40 t/ha of com- are smaller than European compatible and that they flower posted manure, or as much chestnuts and are well-suited simultaneously. To assure thor- as is required to reach 2-3% for cultivation in semi-inten- ough cross-pollination, it is im- organic matter. Before plant- sive orchards (160-180 trees/ portant to plant more than two ing, mineral fertilisers contain- ha). The nuts, large and with inter-compatible cultivars. ing phosphorus and potassium a low percentage of defects (seed coat within the nut), are suited for fresh consumption and industrial processing. Of note are: Primato and Luse- CASTEL DEL RIO nta (of Italian origin); Bouche di Betizac (figure on the left), Bournette, Maridonne, Marl- hac, Vignols (bred in France); Maraval, Marigoule (figure on the right), Marsol, Precoce Migoule are other French hy- brids used as cultivars as well as clonal rootstocks.

VIVAI F.LLI ZANZI 43 minor kiwifruit apricot chestnut cherry strawberry fruit species almond apple

MARIGOULE

must also be added, (in the HARVEST PESTS form of super phosphate and AND DISEASES potassium sulfate), as these Chestnuts are usually harvested nutrients are relatively im- manually (yields of 10-15 kg/ Fungal diseases: ink disease mobile in the soil profile. The hr/person), with high costs and (Phytophthora cambivora, P. cin- tree’s nitrogen requirement intensive labour. Mechanical namomi), chestnut blight (Cry- varies greatly with the age. A harvesters, using aspiration, or phonectria parasitica), wood rot, potential nitrogen fertilisation sweepers, are becoming more anthracnose (Micosphaerella program for the first five years common in large flat orchards maculiformis), black rot (Ciboria would be 50 g/tree in the first where their use is possible. Most batschiana), mummification (Pho- year, increased by 50 g /tree nuts are destined for the fresh mopsis endogena). in next years up to 250 g /tree market (roasted or boiled chest- : Cydia fagiglandana, C. in the fifth year, in the form of nuts), with a growing demand splendana, Pammene fasciana, acidifying fertilisers. from the beginning of harvest Curculio elephas, (September) through November. kuriphilus.

Nutrition programme to improve the production of Chestnut

Shooting Vegetative Flowering Fruit Maturation Picking development enlargement

soil application

20 l/ha IDROL-VEG Improves soil structure and facilitates the nutrients absorption

foliar application

3 kg/ha Biostimulant, enhances the pollen 3 kg/ha LEVO-ENERGY and the ovary fertility and it facilitates the fertilisation. Biostimulant, anti-stress. Improves the fruit setting Improves the fruit enlargement 4 l/ha IDROL-VEG Improves the absorption and effectiveness of treatments, increases the quality and the production For further information please contact our Technical Department L.E.A Srl Tel.+39 059 86.38.811 Fax +39 059 86.38.017 Email: [email protected] Web site: www.leaagricoltura.it

44 VIVAI F.LLI ZANZI bush and table walnut pear peach cane berries plum grapes chestnut

Japanese cultivars, Euro-Japanese cultivars, pollinizers

Cultivar Catkins Pollinizers Ginyose (G) longistamine Tsukuba (G) Tsukuba (G) longistamine Ginyose (G), Vignols (I) Bouche de Bétizac (I) astamine, brachistamine Belle Epine (E), Marron de Chevanceaux (E), Marron de Goujounac (E). To a lesser extent: Bournette (I), Maraval (I),Marsol (I), Precoce Migoule (I) Bournette (I) longistamine (medium pollen fertility) Belle Epine (E), Maraval (I), Marigoule (I), Marsol (I), Precoce Migoule (I) Maraval (I) longistamine (low pollen fertility) Bournette (I), Marigoule (I), Precoce Migoule (I) Maridonne (I) mesostamine (low pollen fertility) Belle Epine (E), Marron de Goajounac (E), Verdale (E) Marigoule (I) longistamine (medium pollen fertility) Belle Epine (E), Marron de Chevanceaux (E), Marron de Goujounac (E), Portaloune (E). To a lesser extent: Bournette (I), Maraval (I), Marsol (I), Precoce Migoule (I) Marsol (I) longistamine Belle Epine (E), Bournette (I), Marigoule (I), Precoce Migoule (I) Precoce Migoule (I) longistamine (low pollen fertility) Belle Epine (E), Bou rnette (I), Ginyose (G), Marigoule (I), Marsol (I), Tsukuba (G), Vignols (I) Vignols (I) longistamine Ginyose (G), Marigoule (I), Precoce Migoule (I) (I) Euro-Japanese hybrid; (G) Japanese chestnut; (E) European chestnut. Fonti: Bellini, 1995; Bounous et al, 1992; Bounous ct al, 1997.

European chestnut cultivars and pollinizers

Cultivar Catkins Pollinizers Belle Epine longistamine Marigoule, Marsol, Portaloune Bouche Rouge astamine or brachistamine Belle Epine, Marigoule Dorée de Lyon brachistamine Belle Epine, Marigoule, Montagne Laguepie mesostamine Belle Epine, Marigoule, Montagne Marron de Chevanceax longistamine (fertile pollen) Belle Epine, Marigoule Marron de Goujounac longistamine Marigoule, Montagne, Precoce Carmeille Marrone di Chiusa Pesio, astamine Belle Epine, Boumette, Madonna, Marsol, di Viterbo, Fiorentino Precoce Migoule Marrone di Greve astamine Maraval, Marsol, Precoce Migoule Marrone di Luserna astamine Ginyose, Vignols Montagne longistamine Precoce Carmeille Pelosa Grossa astamine Tsukuba, seedlings of C. sativa Pelosa Piccola astamine Tsukuba, seedlings of C. Sativa Portaloune longistamine Belle Epine, Marigoule, Marsol Precoce Carmeille longistamine Marigoule, Montagne Sardonne astamine Longistaminate cultivars of C. sativa and C. mollissima Verdale longistamine Belle Epine, Marron de Goujounac, Montagne (I) Euro-Japanese hybrid; (G) Japanese chestnut; (E) European chestnut. Sources: Bellini, 1995; Bounous et al, 1992; Bounous ct al, 1997.

VIVAI F.LLI ZANZI 45 minor kiwifruit apricot chestnut cherry strawberry fruit species almond apple

Pest and disease management for Chestnut DISEASE / Commercial Product Name Active Ingredient Dose Notes

CHESTNUT BLIGHT (Cryphonectria parasitica) COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 32% 250-500 g/hl

LEAF SPOT (Mycosphaerella COPPER HYDROXIDE 25% 210-220 g/hl maculiformis)

LAMBDA-CIALOTRINA 9,48% 20-25 ml/hl LEPIDOPTERA (Cydia fagiglandana) (Cydia splendana) TREBON UP ETOFENPROX 30% 50 ml/hl

LAMBDA-CIALOTRINA 9,48% 20-25 ml/hl CHESTNUT WEEVIL (Curculio elephas) TREBON UP ETOFENPROX 30% 50 ml/hl

CHESTNUT GALL WASP (Dryocosmus kuriphilus) TORYMUS SINESIS

PRODUCTS OF THE SYNGENTA GROUP ARE IDENTIFIED WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE LOGOS. THE FOLLOWING TABLES INCLUDE CROP PROTECTION PRODUCTS AUTHORIZED IN ITALY AT THE DATE THIS DOCUMENT WAS CREATED.

46 VIVAI F.LLI ZANZI Un partner unico per un’agricoltura che guarda sempre avanti

Syngenta è l’unico Gruppo mondiale interamente dedicato all’Agribusiness, una realtà unica che integra competenze, risorse scientifiche e supporto tecnico commerciale, in grado di proporre soluzioni innovative e concrete agli imprenditori agricoli e alla filiera.

Il suo impegno è quello di offrire all’agricoltura italiana gli strumenti per un futuro da protagonista perché possa contribuire in modo determinante al risultato economico del Paese.

Per conseguire questo obiettivo, Syngenta ha scelto di unire i propri business in modo da garantire a chi opera in agricoltura un’offerta unica e completa, comprendente sementi (Seeds), agrofarmaci (Crop Protection), insetti ausiliari (Bioline), servizi ad alto valore aggiunto e programmi di Agricoltura Responsabile.

Grazie all’innovativa combinazione di questi elementi, Syngenta promuove soluzioni integrate che massimizzano la profittabilità dell’impresa agricola e soddisfano le richieste della filiera agroalimentare. Ponendo l’agricoltore al centro della propria attenzione, Syngenta si propone come l’interlocutore di riferimento, in grado di fornire un supporto costante e adeguato alle diverse esigenze di tutti coloro che scelgono di fare un’agricoltura al passo coi tempi, puntando su innovazione, qualità e sostenibilità, per produrre di più e meglio.

• Sementi • Agrofarmaci • Insetti ausiliari • Servizi ad alto valore aggiunto • Programmi di Agricoltura ResponsabileTM

Syngenta è uno dei principali attori dell’agro-industria mondiale. Il gruppo impiega più di 26.000 persone in oltre 90 paesi che operano con un unico proposito: Bringing plant potential to life (Sviluppare il potenziale delle piante al servizio della vita).

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