Articles
WORLD HAZELNUT SITUATION AND PERSPECTIVES
Article number
845_2
Pages
39 – 52
Language
English
Abstract
The official statistics of FAO classify 30 countries as hazelnut producers; ten years ago, in 1997, only 24 countries were listed.
In the meantime, the total production has increased from 697,681 t (mean 1996-1998) to 831,653 t (mean 2005-2007).
In spite of the higher number of producing countries, the hazelnut crop is still concentrated in two Mediterranean countries: Turkey and Italy, covering, together, more than 80% of the world production.
Other countries of a certain importance are the USA (3.8%), Azerbaijan (3.3%), Spain (2.6%), Iran (1.9%), Georgia (1.9%) and China (1.7%).
The varieties are very traditional, and are the same from long ago; therefore, while waiting for new improved cultivars, the progress of the industry is related mainly to the orchard management techniques.
One of the problems of hazelnut growing is the suckering habit, which varies according to cultivar and soil but it needs to be kept under control with two negative consequences: increased costs and increased spreading of diseases such as P. avellanae, which causes serious damage in Mediterranean countries.
The selection and use of non-suckering rootstocks (C. colurna) proved to be a solution in the Balkan countries.
In order to reduce the initial low cropping of new orchards, the tendency to increase the plant density has proved to be positive.
The multistem bush is the most common training system; in recent plantings, the open vase and also the hedgerow (V-shape hedge) have also been adopted.
The mineral fertilization has been the object of wide research activity; according to the majority of the authors, the leaf content of a tree in good condition, at the end of July, should be 2.2% of the dry matter for N, 0.18% for P, 0.9% for K and 0.24% for Mg.
The spread of the industry out of the traditional areas, the necessity to increase the productivity, and changing climate have increased the irrigation need and the related research.
A rainfall of 800 mm/year, well distributed during the whole season, is needed for good hazelnut growing and production.
In recent years a lot of research has been carried out to improve the mechanical harvesting and three main systems can be distinguished: a) harvesting by metallic brooms or blower followed by mechanical soil cleaning, which is used in the mountain areas of Tarragona (Spain) and Italy, b) harvesting by vacuum machine, used in flat areas of Spain and Italy, c) harvesting by sweepers and pickup machine, which is utilized in big orchards in Oregon (USA) and France.
Important progress has been achieved as far as the storage of nuts is concerned, by combining temperature (<10°C) and CA (oxygen below 2-3%).
In the meantime, the total production has increased from 697,681 t (mean 1996-1998) to 831,653 t (mean 2005-2007).
In spite of the higher number of producing countries, the hazelnut crop is still concentrated in two Mediterranean countries: Turkey and Italy, covering, together, more than 80% of the world production.
Other countries of a certain importance are the USA (3.8%), Azerbaijan (3.3%), Spain (2.6%), Iran (1.9%), Georgia (1.9%) and China (1.7%).
The varieties are very traditional, and are the same from long ago; therefore, while waiting for new improved cultivars, the progress of the industry is related mainly to the orchard management techniques.
One of the problems of hazelnut growing is the suckering habit, which varies according to cultivar and soil but it needs to be kept under control with two negative consequences: increased costs and increased spreading of diseases such as P. avellanae, which causes serious damage in Mediterranean countries.
The selection and use of non-suckering rootstocks (C. colurna) proved to be a solution in the Balkan countries.
In order to reduce the initial low cropping of new orchards, the tendency to increase the plant density has proved to be positive.
The multistem bush is the most common training system; in recent plantings, the open vase and also the hedgerow (V-shape hedge) have also been adopted.
The mineral fertilization has been the object of wide research activity; according to the majority of the authors, the leaf content of a tree in good condition, at the end of July, should be 2.2% of the dry matter for N, 0.18% for P, 0.9% for K and 0.24% for Mg.
The spread of the industry out of the traditional areas, the necessity to increase the productivity, and changing climate have increased the irrigation need and the related research.
A rainfall of 800 mm/year, well distributed during the whole season, is needed for good hazelnut growing and production.
In recent years a lot of research has been carried out to improve the mechanical harvesting and three main systems can be distinguished: a) harvesting by metallic brooms or blower followed by mechanical soil cleaning, which is used in the mountain areas of Tarragona (Spain) and Italy, b) harvesting by vacuum machine, used in flat areas of Spain and Italy, c) harvesting by sweepers and pickup machine, which is utilized in big orchards in Oregon (USA) and France.
Important progress has been achieved as far as the storage of nuts is concerned, by combining temperature (<10°C) and CA (oxygen below 2-3%).
Publication
Authors
C. Fideghelli, F.R. De Salvador
Keywords
Corylus avellana, production, orchard management
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