An analysis of the physical and germination parameters of the sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa)

S. Benedetti, M. Gonzalez, E. Garcia, and I. Quiroz. 2012. An analysis of the physical and germination parameters of the sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa). Cien. Inv. Agr. 39(1): 185-192. This study analyzed the physical characteristics, number of seeds per kilogram, seed weight, germination characteristics, germination percentage, germination energy, germination period and the germination vigor of sweet chestnut seeds from two forest plantations in the Los Rios region of Chile. No significant differences were found in any of the characteristics related to the collection zone. Following the international classification systems for seeds of this species, the values of the physical characteristics allow us to classify these seeds as a small caliber or “chestnut”. The values of the germination characteristics (>80%) demonstrate a good germination for chestnut seeds of forest origin.