FLOWERING AND FRUITING HABITS AND SEXUAL EXPRESSION IN CHESTNUT (CASTANEA MOLLISSIMA BL.)

Three chestnut cultivars,Zaoli,Zhongchili and Yangmaoli,developed in Luotian County were investigated for their flowering and fruiting habits and sexual expression. The results showed that young and healthy chestnut trees can flower and fruitthree times per year. The dates of first,second and third flowering were in late May,early July and early August, respectively. When compared to the first flowering,the ratiosof mix inflorescences and development order of mix inflorescences in second and thirdflowering will be different. The first-time mix inflorescences mostly located on the top offruit shoots,whereas the 2nd-time and 3rd-time more mix inflorescences were found onbasis and extended to the top of the shoots and the periods of development were shorter.