In the United States demand for chestnuts is met by importing over $20,000,000 of raw nuts annually. Problems with grafting and no commercially viable clonal propagation techniques have limited use of superior cultivars in the development of the chestnut industry in the U.S. A Phase I study is proposed to develop new clonal propagation techniques (softwood cuttings and tissue culture) for efficient commercial production of high quality Dunstan Chestnuts. The objectives of Phase I are to: (1) rejuvenate Dunstan clones and develop etiolation and fog-rooting techniques for softwood cuttings; (2) define culture medium for multiplication of Dunstan chestnut shoots already established in sterile culture; (3) determine feasibility of rooting plantlets ex vitro and optimal culture for in vitro rooting of plantlets; and (4) determine procedures for acclimatization and survival of rooted plantlets and cuttings. Research has been initiated by Chestnut Hill Nursery, the leading producer of chestnut trees in America, and at the University of Florida and the University of Nebraska. Fog-rooting, acclimatization and commercialization will be conducted at the Chestnut Hill Nursery facilities. Acclimatization of plantlets and cuttings has not been successfully accomplished in nursery production, and is the critical step in developing an economically viable process.
Anticipated Results:Development of efficient clonal propagation techniques will result in increased production rates and allow growers to establish quality varietal orchards with increased success. Application of theses technologies will facilitate the rapid development of the chestnut industry in the U.S. The Dunstan Chestnut varieties, produced by clonal methods on their own roots, can provide the quality production necessary to become the basis of the U.S. chestnut industry. Current demand for chestnuts will create an entirely new crop for American farmers and orchardists, a reduction of imports, and the potential for a $500,000,000 new agricultural industry in the U.S.
