Cambial Isoperoxidase Patterns in Castanea

Only 3 major and variable anodal isoperoxidase bands were found in the cambial zone of 10 Castanea species. Even though the numbers of plants tested in several taxa were low, it appeared that certain banding patterns could be characteristic for some species. Thus, C. dentata and other American species (C. alnifolia, C. ashei, C. ozarkensis, C. pumila) exhibited only band A. The Japanese chestnut (C. crenata) and C. seguinii had only band B. The isoenzyme phenotypes A, B, and AB were found in the European chestnut (C. sativa) while our single tree of C. henryii had both A and B bands. Chinese chestnut (C. mollissima) contained trees with 4 isoenzyme phenotypes (A, AB, B, BC). The distribution of isoperoxidase banding patterns, coupled with widespread sexual compatibility, indicated that the categorization of chestnut species into different taxonomic sections may have little importance from a genetic basis. The possible influence of enzyme phenotype on graft compatibility is discussed.