Monitoring of diseased chestnut groves in Zestaponi
Archil Nikoleishvili, Head of the National Forestry Agency visited Imereti region, where a method of biological control of the disease is being tested in chestnut groves in Zestaponi Municipality.
Forest-pathological, as well as laboratory studies, have been carried out in the area since last year. Irina Matsiakh, an international expert hired by the National Forest Agency, conducted a laboratory study of collected in Georgia last year chestnut bark samples, at the WSL laboratory in Switzerland. The propagated hypovirulent strains are reproduced in one of the laboratories of the Georgian Agrarian University, after which they will be placed in previously prepared areas in diseased chestnut groves.
As soon as the strains are invented, the trees will be constantly monitored and controlled to confirm the effectiveness of this international control method in chestnut groves. The event is being held for the first time in the history of the agency, and it is important that the biological fight against the disease gives us the same effective result as it has in European countries.
"Chestnut grove disease in Zestaponi municipality has been a problem and challenge for years. There are complex approaches on our part. On the one hand, these are sanitary measures, which are intensively implemented by the National Forestry Agency, and on the other hand, restoration measures, which include biological control methods, including the involvement of international experts, and all this will allow us to save unique wealth and leave it healthy to next generations, "- said Archil Nikoleishvili.
Scientists are still debating methods and effective remedies against the disease, however, in international experience, the most common practices are sanitary cuttings and biological disease control mechanisms.
The problem of drying chestnuts (Castanea sativa Mill.) has been going on for many years in our country (as well as in Europe). Cases of drought were detected in the late 19th century, especially in western Georgia. According to the researchers of that time, the drying was caused by the so-called "ink sickness". Chestnut bark cancer - Cryphonectria (Endothea) parasitica - is currently the leading cause of drying.
