CHESTNUT PRODUCTION IN CHILE. SOME STEPS TOWARD ITS IMPROVEMENT

European Chestnut (Castanea sativa M.) was introduced to Chile by European immigrants at the beginning of the 19^th century. Since then, the species has adapted widely to the piedmont area (300 to 600 m. a.s.l.) and disseminated from the 34°50' to the 41° southern latitude along the Andes Mountains. Although this species found good soil and climatic conditions in this area, which has allowed a tremendous potential for vigor (timber) and fruit production, several reasons may explain why it has never been an important nut crops as many other fruits tree species.

Since its introduction, this nut tree has been only sexually propagated by farmers, producing a great variability in tree and nut traits, which are easily observed in the few commercial farms and scattered trees where this species is being grown.

Chestnut was introduced to Chile before Chestnut Blight (Cryphonectria parasitica) arrived in Europe. Later on, a sanitary legislation prohibiting the introduction of any part of chestnuts has avoided this disease in Chile. This species is considered to be free of pests, the only exception is Phytophthora (ink disease) which is common to many other fruit tree species.

Since 1989, INIA is devoting resources to improve the crop, through a collection, characterization and clonal selection of good fruit traits from the high variety founded in individual trees disseminated over the country and the introduction of improved and well known varieties of the main three species : Castanea sativa, C. crenata, and C. mollisima, from respectively Europe, Japan and China.

In order to avoid the risk of introducing any pests or diseases, a very restrictive and severe quarantine process is conducted. Similar efforts of improvement are being carried out in terms of timber production.

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