Marsol (chestnut)

Marsol (aka Marisol) is a natural chestnut hybrid, a cross between a European chestnut (Castanea sativa) and Japanese (Castanea crenata) (CA 07).

INRA produced this variety from Lalevade-d'Ardèche. It is mainly used as a rootstock because of its good graft compatibility with many varieties. As a rootstock, it is more vigorous than Maraval (equal to Bouche de Betizac or Comballe).

Trees are resistant to rust and roots have some resistance to ink disease. Marsol is the most sensitive chestnut cultivary to Dryocosmus kuriphilus - the chestnut gall wasp, and very sensitive to the codling moth, fairly sensitive to root asphyxiation, resistant to mosaic virus, slightly susceptible to chestnut blight.

Trees are of medium height with a long trunk and branches higher up. Early bud breaks makes the shoot development sensitive to spring frosts. The male catkins flower from June 19–30 June followed by female flowers June 27 - July 8. The male catkins are pollen sterile.

Nut production of grafted trees is medium with higher production on seedling trees. Nut production starts at four to five years. The triangular nuts are mid season ripening - shiny red mahogany in color. They keep and peel well. The nuts can be used fresh or for processing. The nut taste is described as lower quality. Occurrence of double embryos (pericarp splitting) is less than 5%.

Vegetative multiplication is quite easy.