Document Type : original paper
Authors
1
Guilan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Rasht, Iran
2
Research Assistant Professor Date Palm and Tropical Fruits Research Center, Horticultural Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Ahvaz, Iran
3
Assistant professor of Horticulture Crops Research Department, Guilan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Rasht, Iran.
10.22069/jopp.2026.24999.3356
Abstract
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) is one of the world's most important nut crops, and the identification of superior genotypes with high yield potential and desirable nut quality is a major objective of modern breeding programs. Considering the significant interaction between genetic and environmental factors affecting quantitative and qualitative traits, the evaluation of diverse hazelnut genotypes under the climatic conditions of northern Iran, the country's principal hazelnut-producing region, is of considerable importance. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the phenological characteristics, yield and quantitative and qualitative fruit traits of several hazelnut genotypes in comparison with local cultivars and to identify promising, high-yielding genotypes with superior kernel quality.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted at the Abbasabad Research Station in Astara, Gilan Province, during 2023–2024. Ten-year-old hybrids derived from open pollination of the cultivars Cherkassky, Trabzon, President, Rimsky and Qafqaz, introduced from Russia, along with three control cultivars, Rond Dopimont, Segorbe, and Gord Eshkvar, were evaluated using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Important phenological traits, including the timing of male and female flowering, pollination period and stigma receptivity duration, were investigated. In addition, quantitative and qualitative fruit characteristics, including yield, fruit set percentage, fruit and kernel weight, kernel percentage and blank nut percentage, were evaluated. Biochemical analyses were conducted to determine oil content, protein content and antioxidant activity. The data were analyzed using SAS version 9.1 software, and mean comparisons were performed using Duncan’s multiple range test at the 5% probability level.
Results: The results of flowering phenology indicated that all the studied hybrids exhibited a protandrous flowering type (male flowers maturing earlier than female flowers). Evaluation of fruit characteristics showed that the highest fruit set percentage and yield were recorded in the Qafqaz, Rimsky, Trabzon and President hybrids. The highest kernel weight was observed in the Qafqaz, Rimsky, and President hybrids, respectively. The lowest fruit weight (1.78 g) and kernel weight (0.88 g) were recorded in the Cherkassky hybrid. The highest percentage of blank nuts was observed in the Gord Eshkvar cultivar. Among the studied genotypes, the highest oil content was recorded in Rond Dopimont (61.52%), followed by the Trabzon hybrid (61.15%), Rimsky hybrid (59.47%), and Qafqaz hybrid (59.42%). The lowest antioxidant activity and phenolic content were recorded in the Cherkassky hybrid.
Conclusions: Overall, the results of this study showed that the Rimsky, Qafqaz, President, and Trabzon hybrids were superior to the local cultivars, particularly Gord Eshkvar, in terms of yield-related traits and some quality characteristics. Therefore, these hybrids can be considered valuable genetic resources for breeding programs and may also be suitable for the establishment and development of hazelnut orchards under similar climatic conditions.
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