Chestnut (Castanea sativa) production in Slovenian plantations is increasing, as it fetches a high price on the market and is very popular among the population. From the point of view of cultivation, it is quite a demanding species, as it needs special natural conditions for good growth and high-quality yield. An important condition for successful cultivation is a soil with an acid reaction. The pH of the soil should be in the range of 4.0 to 6.0. The cultivation itself is also complicated by pests and diseases, which can be responsible for crop failure and even the collapse of the tree. The most important pest is the chestnut gall wasp (Dryocosmus kuriphilus), which lays its eggs in the buds, preventing fruit development and also inhibiting shoot and wood growth. Among the diseases, chestnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica) is the most feared, as it spreads rapidly and can cause the collapse of the tree or even the entire plantation. We were interested in whether the establishment of an orchard on a plot of land in Voglje, the purpose of which is a forest, is reasonable and justified. Therefore, we examined the climate and soil conditions, as well as the characteristics of the site, and studied the ecological requirements for chestnut growth. We have found that the plot in Voglje is only conditionally suitable for the first chestnut cultivation, mainly because of the heavy soil and the location - the plot is surrounded by a forest, which affects the poor lighting. Other ecological factors that are important for successful chestnut cultivation are within the required limits.
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