Problems with all types of vegetative propagation of chestnut have hindered the development of the chestnut industry. In vitro propagation offers both a tool for gaining a better understanding of the problems and a propagation method itself. Despite considerable research, there has not been a great deal of success in propagating mature chestnut trees by in vitro methods. We hypothesize that the main reason for lack of success is a consequence of chestnut being a ring porous tree whose anatomy and physiology naturally "wall off" the cultured shoots from the medium, hindering transport of water and solutes to the growing points. We propose to test this hypothesis and circumvent the problem by applying medium to the leaves and by renewing the vascular system by causing secondary (cambial) growth.Applications:If our hypothesis is correct and we can overcome the problem, this will possibly allow easier vegetative propagation of mature chestnut trees. Self-rooted chestnut trees are necessary for chestnut blight resistance screening, cultivar trails, dissemination of selected clones, and chestnut orchards. There exists a commercial demand for clonal chestnut trees which cannot presently be met for lack of good propagation methods.
