Hazelnut genetic improvement at Oregon State University, a summary of the breeding effort since 1969

Genetic improvement of European hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) has been ongoing at Oregon State University (OSU) since 1969. In that time span, thousands of controlled pollinations have been made, and more than 200,000 seedlings were planted in the field and evaluated.
Importations of seeds and scions since 1988, mostly from Europe and western Asia, broadened the genetic base of the breeding program significantly.
Most crosses have been within Corylus avellana, with a few crosses made to transfer traits from C. americana, C. heterophylla, C. californica and C. colurna. Resistance to eastern filbert blight (EFB), caused by the fungus Anisogramma anomala (Peck.) E. Müller, has been a major goal of the program nearly since the beginning.
Most recent releases carry a dominant allele for resistance from ‘Gasaway’. Thirty-one additional sources of major resistance genes, as well as quantitative resistance, have been used in breeding.
A summary is presented of the program’s objectives, importations of seeds and scions, and number of controlled pollinations made.
In total, 12 cultivars, 12 pollinizers and three ornamentals have been released for the Oregon hazelnut industry.
Factors contributing to the program’s success are discussed.

X International Congress on Hazelnut

D.C. Smith, S.A. Mehlenbacher

filbert, nut breeding, disease resistance

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2023.1379.6