Castanea crenata

Castanea crenata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fagales
Family: Fagaceae
Genus: Castanea
Species:
C. crenata
Binomial name
Castanea crenata

Castanea crenata, the Japanese chestnut[2][3] or Korean chestnut,[4] is a species of chestnut native to Japan and Korea.[1] Castanea crenata exhibits resistance to Phytophthora cinnamomi, the fungal pathogen that causes ink disease in several Castanea species. The mechanism of resistance of Castanea crenata to Phytophthora cinnamomi may derive from its expression of the Cast_Gnk2-like gene.[5]

Description

Castanea crenata is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree growing to 10–15 m (30–50 ft) tall. The leaves are similar to those of the sweet chestnut, though usually a little smaller, 8–19 cm (3+1⁄4–7+1⁄2 in) long and 3–5 cm (1+1⁄4–2 in) broad. The flowers of both sexes are borne in 7–20 cm (2+3⁄4–7+3⁄4 in) long, upright catkins, the male flowers in the upper part and female flowers in the lower part. They appear in summer, and by autumn, the female flowers develop into spiny cupules containing 3–7 brownish nuts that are shed during October.

Cultivation and uses

Castanea crenata is an important tree in Japan and Korea for its heavy production of sweet, edible nuts. A number of cultivars have been selected for large nut size. It is also widely cultivated in eastern China and Taiwan.

It is resistant to chestnut blight and to ink disease, and for these reasons is of importance in North America in the development of disease-resistant hybrids and genetic engineering of the American chestnut, which is susceptible to both fungal pathogens.

Examples of European × Japanese hybrid cultivars[6] are:

C. crenata produces more biomass in its stems when the nuts are smaller and planted deeper. [7]

  • Chestnut fruit
    Chestnut fruit
  • Peeled chestnuts
    Peeled chestnuts
  • Male flower
    Male flower
  • Shell opened naturally on the ground
    Shell opened naturally on the ground
  • Trees
    Trees

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Castanea crenata.
  1. ^ a b Barstow, M. (2018). "Castanea crenata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T62004433A62004435. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T62004433A62004435.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Japanese chestnut - Encyclopedia of Life". eol.org.
  3. ^ BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  4. ^ Falk, Ben (2003). The Resilient Farm and Homestead: An Innovative Permaculture and Whole Systems Design Approach. White River Junction, VT: Chelsea Green Publishing. p. 199. ISBN 9781603584449. Varieties of chestnuts that can be grown in zone 4, Northeastern United States are as follows: ...Castanea crenata (Korean chestnut)
  5. ^ Santos C, Nelson CD, Zhebentyayeva T, Machado H, Gomes-Laranjo J, Costa RL (2017). "First interspecific genetic linkage map for Castanea sativa x Castanea crenata revealed QTLs for resistance to Phytophthora cinnamomi". PLOS ONE. 12 (9): e0184381. Bibcode:2017PLoSO..1284381S. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0184381. PMC 5589223. PMID 28880954.
  6. ^ Cultivars for Michigan Archived 2013-05-25 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2015-6
  7. ^ Seiwa, K.; Watanabe, A.; Saitoh, T.; Kannu, H.; Akasaka, S. (2002-07-01). "Effects of burying depth and seed size on seedling establishment of Japanese chestnuts, Castanea crenata". Forest Ecology and Management. 164 (1): 149–156. doi:10.1016/S0378-1127(01)00607-7. ISSN 0378-1127.