Fruit characteristics, defoliation, forest floor and soil properties of sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) forests in İstanbul-Turkey

The defoliation and fruit characteristics of natural Castanea sativa Mill. forests were annually monitored between 2014 and 2016 in İstanbul, Turkey. The soil and forest floor properties were also investigated and evaluated according to the stand development stages. Comparisons were made with ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests; the relationship between fruit yield and the properties of the soil and forest floor were tested with correlation analysis; and allometric regression models were developed for fruit yield.