ABSTRACT
Introduced pathogens may have a high detrimental effect on chestnut trees. In Europe and North America, cultivation and conservation of Castanea species have been impacted by two introduced diseases caused by pathogens originating in Asia: ink disease and chestnut blight, which cause tree decline or death, thus are the most damaging chestnut diseases. Other pathogens, mainly associated with the spoilage of nuts, have important economic impact on nut production.
This chapter reports specific symptoms of the most common chestnut diseases together with a guidance for diagnosis. The biology and epidemiology of the main chestnut pathogens are described, as well as different strategies for the control of chestnut diseases.
