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ŠUMARSKI LIST 11-12/2018 str. 54     <-- 54 -->        PDF

Additionally, in the Mediterranean countries there are a large number of old, grafted cultivars of sweet chestnut (Goulão et al. 2001; Pereira-Lorenzo et al. 2001, 2010; Botta et al. 2005; Martin et al. 2007; Idžojtić et al. 2012; Poljak et al. 2016, 2017), i.e. varieties of the sweet chestnut with the best quality, tasty and large fruits.
In Europe, there are three main areas (Georgia, eastern Turkey and Italy) having particular biological value for conservation of genetic resources of sweet chestnut (Villiani et al. 1999; Mattioni et al. 2017). Likewise, areas particularly rich in genetic diversity were detected in the Iberian (Martin et al. 2012) and Balkan Peninsula (Lusini et al. 2014; Poljak et al. 2017). It is important to note that some of these areas (Italy, Turkey, Iberian Peninsula) are the leading European chestnuts producers (Goulão et al. 2001). Sweet chestnut cultivars in Turkey were not accurately characterized and classified according to their origins. In addition, cultivars having the same name and different genotype emerged in many regions (Ertan 2007).
Sweet chestnut is an important multipurpose tree species used for its wood, fruit, honey, and tannin (Idžojtić et al. 2009). It is also a valuable species in ecosystems and landscapes. For example, chestnuts are rich in carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals. In addition, sweet chestnut honey has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and branches can be used in painting. From the perspective of the global and national forestry, sweet chestnut is of great importance with regard to versatile usage possibilities. However, chestnut forests have been seriously degraded since the introduction of chestnut diseases (Akdogan and Erkam 1968; Heiniger and Rigling 1994; Gurer 2001; Krstin et al. 2017). In addition, stand structure of chestnut forests are frequently degraded because of inappropriate silvicultural treatments (Turna et al. 2014). In studies conducted in Europe in recent years, researchers have expressed that the genetic diversity of sweet chestnut is endangered, and that it is important to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of chestnut genetic resources (Mellano et al. 2012).
In many fields of plant sciences, morphological information’s are still very important (Douaihy et al. 2012; Poljak et al. 2015) such as different taxon delimitation (Mac-Key 1988; Poljak et al. 2014a; Sękiewicz et al. 2016), population variability (Brus et al. 2011, 2016; Douaihy et al. 2012; Poljak et al. 2012, 2014a, 2018; Zebec et al. 2014, 2015), cultivar characterization (Ertan 2007; Ertan et al. 2007; Poljak et al. 2016) and selection (Polat and Özkaya 2005; Solar et al. 2001, 2005), morphological and physiological seed characterization (Powell 2010; Yilmaz and Yüksel 2014; Drvodelić et al. 2015; Daneshvar et al. 2016), and trends in leaf morphology regarding the branch position and patterns of crown plasticity (Bruschi et al. 2003; Bednorz 2006; Poljak et al. 2014b). The studies of European and Turkish sweet chestnut populations revealed high morphological variation within populations and low differentiation between populations (Villani et al. 1991; Pereira-Lorenzo et al. 1996; Serdar 1999; Podjavorsek et al. 1999; Serdar and Soylu 1999; Solar et al. 2001, 2005; Miguelez et al. 2004; Bolvanský and Užík 2005; Ertan 2007; Idžojtić et al. 2009; Mujić et al. 2010; Poljak et al. 2012). Ertan (2007) pointed out that morphological and phenological characteristics can be used to improve quantitative estimates of genetic similarities and relationships. In addition, morphological characterization is still official method for protection and registration of new cultivars (Pereira-Lorenzo et al. 1996). Moreover, information’s about the seed quality (morphological and physiological characteristics), and population diversity should be used in order to grow quality and healthy seedlings (Powell 2010).
The aim of this study was to assess variation among eight sweet chestnut populations in Turkey by using nine different morphological characteristics of fruits and seedlings.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
MATERIJALI I METODE
Chestnut fruits were collected from Adapazarı, Artvin, Aydın, Balıkesir, Bartın, İzmir, Kütahya and Sinop located in natural distribution area of Castanea sativa in Turkey (Figure 1, Table 1). An average distance of 150–200 m was established between sampled trees. Fruits were sampled from 15 to 20 trees per population.
 
Table 1. Coordinates and altitudes of the analysed populations.
Tablica 1 Koordinate i nadmorske visine analiziranih populacija.
After the collection, fruits from eight populations were measured in the laboratory. A total of three characteristics were measured by using a digital calliper: fruit length (FL), fruit width (FW), and fruit thickness (FT). In order to quantify the fruit shape, the ratio of fruit length and width (FL/FW) was derived. Measurements were made with millimetre (mm) sensitivity. In addition, 1000 fruit mass (1000FM)