This study investigates possibilities for improving the vegetative propagation protocol of sweet chestnut (Castanea sp.) using green cuttings in a fog system, with an emphasis on overcoming physiological rooting limitations and reducing the risk of disease occurrence (Phytophthora cambivora, Cryphonectria parasitica). In this research, we systematically analyzed the response of two commercially important hybrids (C. crenata × C. sativa), 'Marsol' and 'Maraval', to substrate composition (a mixture of peat with perlite or silica sand), substrate age (fresh vs. one-year-old), and hormone treatment with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). We monitored the final rooting rate, root number and length, callus formation percentage and mortality rate of cuttings. The results showed that 'Maraval' cuttings, with a 50% rooting rate, rooted better than 'Marsol' cuttings with a 39% rooting rate. The application of the hormone IBA did not improved root number and length in cuttings of both cultivars. In analyzing the growing media, we found that substrate age did not affect the rooting rate of cuttings. However, small differences emerged regarding media composition, as higher rooting percentage was recorded in the substrate containing silica sand, whereas the substrate containing perlite resulted in a lower rooting percentage but greater average root length.
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