Effects of Canopy Microclimate on Chinese Chestnut (Castanea mollissima Blume) Nut Yield and Quality

Abstract

There are considerable differences in chestnut yield and quality across different chestnut-producing regions in China, indicating that environmental factors affect these properties of chestnuts. Furthermore, nut yield and quality differ depending on canopy position. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between the canopy microclimate, nut yield, and quality. We determined microclimate factors from blossoming to ripening at different positions in the canopy. Nut yield and quality and the number of different branch types were measured at various canopy positions. The light intensity and temperature of the different canopy layers exhibited funnel-form distributions ranging from 0 to 3600 μmol·m2·s−1 and from 32 to 37 °C, respectively. Canopy humidity showed an inverted funnel-shaped distribution ranging from 26% to 40%. Nut yield and quality in the top and outer canopies were higher than in the bottom and inner canopies. Branches in the top-middle and peripheral parts of the canopy also produced higher yields, especially strong branches that bore more nuts. Nut yield and quality had positive correlations with light intensity (r = 0.735) and temperature (r = 0.709), whereas they were inversely associated with humidity (r = −0.584). The nut yield was more than 200 gm−3 when the light intensity was above 1500 μmol·m2·s−1, the temperature was above 34.4 °C, and the humidity was below 27.5%.

Natural Bioactive Substances in Fruits of Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott Exposed to Combined Light-Type, Chitosan Oligosaccharide, and Spent Mushroom Residue Treatments

“…Introduced NWFP resources were advocated to be cultured at the understory layer of forests that were screened or managed to equip the objective environment. Meteorological factors have a joint driving effect on bioactive products in forest plants [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Forests are a natural nursery where NWFP resources can be managed to harvest natural products [ 11 , 12 ].…”

Quantification and Variation of Microclimatic Variables Within Tree Canopies - Considerations for Epiphyte Research

“…The tree was selected based on a) its dominant size in the area, and b) being a representative species of the canopy in the study site, and a species commonly found in United Kingdom woodlands. In addition, being a deciduous species, F. sylvatica allowed us to sample microclimatic conditions over a period from leaf-out to full leaf development, an important element accounting for spatial and temporal variation of canopy conditions (Jones, 2013;Wen et al, 2020). The array of sensors was installed in the selected tree on April 26th 2020, and kept in the canopy for 45 days.…”

A bagworm damaging chestnut trees in Vietnam

“…Mother trees of C. mollissima with high seed yield have been selected and propagated for planting (Hai et al 2007;Xie et al 2018;Li et al 2022b). Large-scale plantations of C. mollissima has been established in various regions, including China (Liu et al 2013;Wen et al 2020), the United States (Warmund 2011) and Vietnam (Hai et al 2007;Thang et al 2011). In addition, Castanopsis boisii and Lithocarpus bacgiangensis have been recommended in reforestation in Vietnam (Thang et al 2011).…”