ISHS Acta Horticulturae 494: II International Symposium on Chestnut
INTEGRATED MONITORING OF CHESTNUT STANDS |
| Authors: | T. Turchetti, G. Maresi, L. Gherardi, F. Ferretti, G.M.L. Viti |
| Keywords: | Castanea sativa, ink disease, chestnut blight, aerial photographs, Geografic Information Systems |
| Abstract:
The phyto-sanitary condition of chestnut orchards and stands influences their recovery and management. Ink disease and chestnut blight are common but the impact of these diseases could be different and a correct evaluation of the damage is the primary requirement to plain treatments. Chestnut blight is present everywhere in Europe, but the level of damage is decreasing due to a natural spread of Cryphonectria parasitica hypovirulent strains. This is favourable for chestnut trees and the survey of old and recently by killed branches and sprouts is a useful parameter, able to evaluate the actual spread of the parasite virulent isolates. On the contrary the canopy of blighted trees infected by healing canker is without any symptom as a consequence of the hypovirulent strains activity. Phytophthora cambivora, casual agent of ink disease, is spreading in many European chestnut stands and produces severe damage because of the absence of control measures. Now this disease is the main problem for chestnut cultivation. An integrated method of monitoring, based on the use of large scale aerial photography, proved to be effective to study evolution and spread of the diseases. In the damaged stands, GPS (Global Positioning Sistem) is useful for positioning sample plots on aerial photographs. Ground surveys completed this simple and not very expensive method of phytosanitary investigations. The improvement of GIS (Geografic Information System) concerning chestnut stand phyto-sanitary problems and management is discussed. | |
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