Analysis on Variation of Nut Traits of Controlled Cross between Castanea mollissima and C. henryi

Controlled cross was conducted on Castanea millissima as female parent and C. henryi as male parent in Qingyuan, Zhejiang province from 2008 to 2012. Analysis on variation of traits of hybrid nuts demonstrated that nut set rate was lower than normal pollinated one, and nut mature stage of hybrid was earlier than that of the male parent. Shape of hybrid cupule was neutral, and its quality, nuts per cupule was significantly higher than that of C. henryi, while the length, pubescence and density of spinelike bracts was greatly influenced by male parent. Size and quality of hybrid nuts was significantly greater than that of the male and female parent. Nut shape of hybrid was more like female parent, but color and luster like male parent. Cluster analysis showed that the traits of cupule and nut of hybrid was near to the female parent, but far apart from the male parent