What soil is best for growing chestnuts? Soil requirements for chestnut cultivation
Abstract: Slightly acidic soil should be chosen for planting chestnuts, preferably deep soil that is moist, has strong drainage, and contains plenty of organic matter, such as sandy soil or sandy loam weathered from sandstone or granite. If the PH value of the soil used for planting chestnuts is higher than 7, it will cause poor growth of the chestnut trees and may even cause them to stop growing.
For planting chestnuts, it is best to choose slightly acidic soil, with the PH value controlled at 4.6-7. The soil should be deep and moist with good drainage, and sandy soil or sandy loam weathered from sandstone or granite and rich in organic matter is the best. If chestnuts are planted in saline-alkaline soil and calcareous soil with a PH value above 7, it will lead to poor growth and they may even fail to grow.
Requirements of chestnuts for the growing environment
1. Temperature requirements
The annual average temperature suitable for the growth and development of chestnuts is best controlled at 10-17℃. From April to October, the daily average temperature during the chestnut growing period should be 10-20℃, and the suitable temperature during the flowering period is 17-27℃. If the temperature is lower than 15℃ or higher than 27℃, it will affect pollination, fertilization and fruit setting of the chestnut trees. During the fruit expansion period from August to September, an average temperature above 20℃ is more suitable for chestnut growth. In winter, they can adapt to a low temperature of minus 25℃.
2. Moisture requirements
Generally, chestnuts can be planted in areas with annual rainfall reaching 500-2000 millimeters, but areas with annual rainfall of 500-1000 millimeters are the most suitable. Chestnuts have different water requirements at different phenological stages. In autumn, chestnuts are in the grain-filling stage, and sufficient water can promote full growth of the chestnuts and can also increase chestnut yield.
3. Light requirements
Chestnuts like to grow in places with sufficient light, especially during their growth period, so sufficient light must be ensured. If chestnuts are planted in valley areas where the average daily light duration is less than 6 hours, the trees will grow upright, the leaves will be thin and the branches will be fine, and both the yield and quality of the chestnuts will decrease. When planting chestnuts, the density should be reasonably controlled, and during the planting process, shaping and pruning of the trees should be carried out according to their light requirements.
4. Soil requirements
When chestnuts are planted in sandy loam with more organic matter and good aeration, the root system grows better and can produce a large number of mycorrhizae. If they are planted in heavy, poorly aerated soil, drainage is poor in the rainy season, which will affect the growth and development of the chestnut trees.
Chestnuts are relatively sensitive to the acidity and alkalinity of the soil. Soil with a PH value within 4-7 is suitable for chestnut growth, and slightly acidic soil with a PH value of 5-6 is most suitable for chestnut growth. Weathered soil in limestone mountainous areas is mostly alkaline and is not suitable for planting chestnuts.
Slightly acidic and well-aerated weathered soil from granite and gneiss is suitable for the growth and development of chestnuts. Slightly acidic soil can satisfy the calcium and manganese needed for the growth of chestnut trees. If the PH value in the soil is relatively high, manganese will be in an insoluble state, making it more difficult for chestnut trees to absorb. Chestnut trees are manganese-loving plants, and their leaves are rich in more than 0.2% manganese, which is higher than other fruit trees. If chestnuts are planted in alkaline soil, the manganese content in their leaves will decrease to 0.12%, causing the leaves to lose greenness, and their metabolic capacity will also drop very low. Therefore, slightly acidic soil is the most suitable soil for planting chestnuts.