Performance of Hazelnut Cultivars from Oregon, Italy, and Spain, in Northeastern Spain

Eleven hazelnut (Corylus avellana) cultivars, four Spanish (Clon La Maso, Negret N-9, Negret Primerenc, and Pauetet), four Italian (San Giovanni, Tonda Italiana, Tonda di Giffoni, and Tonda Romana), and three cultivars from Oregon State University's (OSU) breeding program (Clark, Lewis, and Willamette), were evaluated in northeastern Spain over a period of 15 years (2001-14). The trial was planted at the Institute of Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (IRTA)-Mas de Bover Station (Constanti, Spain) in 2001, using own-rooted material, in single-trunk, 6 x 3.5-m spacing, and fitted with drip irrigation. Tree vigor, sucker production, early bearing, and total crop were recorded during the first 9 years. Nut traits were studied over 7 years and nutritional composition analyzed in 3 years. The best agronomic performance was observed in 'San Giovanni', 'Pauetet', 'Clon La Maso', and 'Tonda Italiana' that scored the highest total crop and canopy volume, but 'San Giovanni' and 'Clon La Maso' produced a high number of suckers. The best industrial value of the kernel was given by 'Tonda di Giffoni', 'Negret N-9', 'Willamette', and 'Clark' with high roasting aptitude and high fat content, although ` Negret N-9' was a little poor in monounsaturated fatty acids. The three cultivars from the Oregon breeding program had good agronomic behavior and industrial potential, but were not an improvement on the traditional Mediterranean cultivars.