{{Short description, Hybrid chestnut
Maraval is a named natural chestnut hybrid (synonym CA 74), a cross between a European chestnut ( Castanea sativa) and a Japanese chestnut ( Castanea crenata). INRA bred this variety in 1986 in FranceLalevade-d'Ardèche. Maraval produces a big mahogany colored nut from triangular to elliptical triangular shape. The nut keeps well. Nut peeling is mediocre but good in boiling water. Nuts can be used fresh as well as for processing.
Maraval are not very demanding to the quality of the soil and produce nuts in 4 to 5 years. Maraval grow at 250-300 m of altitude in the warm regions of France such as
Gironde
Gironde ( US usually, , ; oc, Gironda, ) is the largest department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of Southwestern France. Named after the Gironde estuary, a major waterway, its prefecture is Bordeaux. In 2019, it had a population of 1,62 ...
, Dordogne, Pyrenees-Atlantiques, Midi-Pyrenees. The tree is considered partially pollinating since its pollen is not very fertile.
Its early budding makes it sensitive to spring frosts. It is resistant to leaf rust and
ink disease
''Phytophthora cinnamomi'' is a soil-borne water mould that produces an infection which causes a condition in plants variously called "root rot", "dieback", or (in certain ''Castanea'' species), "ink disease". The plant pathogen is one of the wor ...
.
The tree is a mid-season hybrid variety, upright with moderate vigor and medium stature. The medium stature allows denser orchards than other hybrids such as
Marigoule
Marigoule is the name of a french hybrid of chestnut (synonym M.15 or CA 15), cross between a European chestnut (Castanea sativa) and Japanese (Castanea crenata). In 1986, it originated from a Migoule orchard in Ussac in Corrèze. Marigoule (a cont ...
.
Maraval is mainly used as root stock because of its good graft compatibility with many chestnut varieties. As a rootstock, it is graft compatible with the varieties: Bouche de Betizac, Bournette, Precoce Migoule, and Maridonne. Maraval root stock is graft incompatible with Marigoule and Primato.
References
* "Châtaignes et marrons" - Henri BREISCH - Editor CTIFL - 1995
* Chataigniers Couli