Characterization of Local Chestnut Genotypes from Western Mediterranean Area in Turkey

Chestnuts are produced in limited areas in the world and Turkey is one of the biggest chestnut producers globally with a production of 65,000 tons per year. The western Mediterranean, Middle Black Sea, and Aegean regions are the main chestnut production areas in Turkey. Vegetative propagation is not common in chestnut in Turkey and thus seed-propagated chestnut trees show great morphological diversity. In this study, the nuts of ten chestnut (Castanea sativa) genotypes propagated by seeds and naturally grown in Mugla province in western Turkey were sampled in 2019 and 2020. These ten genotypes were pre-selected according to better yield and fruit characteristics along with health status. The genotypes were subjected to morphological (tree growth habit, nut weight, nut size, kernel ratio and kernel color) and biochemical analysis (crude protein, crude fat, dietary fiber, total carbohydrates, total polyphenols, and antioxidant activity). The data obtained showed that a great variability was evident for most of the morphological and biochemical parameters among the ten genotypes. The nut weight and kernel ratio were between 3.85 and 7.67 g and between 72.11% and 83.66%, respectively, in ten genotypes. Semi-upright growing was common for most of the genotypes. The genotypes exhibited total crude fat, crude protein, and dietary fiber of 0.84–2.18%, 5.13–6.98%, and 2.33–4.07%, respectively. Results indicated rich diversity for most of the morphological and biochemical characteristics of seed-propagated chestnuts.