Chestnut groves restoration program in Kakheti
The National Forestry Agency has been conducting a study of the situation in the chestnut groves across the country since 2013. Within the framework of the chestnut grove restoration-rehabilitation program, after the Imereti region, a study of chestnut groves with the participation of international expert, Irina Matsiakh and specialists of the National Forestry Agency is underway in the Kakheti region.
The studies are planned in Telavi, Akhmeta and Kvareli forest districts and include a sampling of chestnut bark cancer and its potential hypovirulent strains for further processing.
Scientists are actively working to find methods and effective means of combating the disease, however, with international experience, the most common practice today is sanitary cutting and biological disease control mechanisms.
The problem of mass drying of chestnuts (Castanea sativa Mill) has existed for many years in Georgia, as well as in other European countries. Cases of mass extinction, especially in Western Georgia, were detected at the end of the 19th century due to the spread of the so-called "ink sickness". At present, the cause of the rash is chestnut bark cancer - Cryphonectria (Endothea) parasitica.
