Effect of Cluster Drop Intensity on Nut Traits, Biochemical Properties, and Fatty Acids Composition in the 'cakildak' Hazelnut Cultivar

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effect of cluster drop intensity (CDI) on nut traits, biochemical properties, and fatty acids composition in the 'cakildak' hazelnut cultivar. Many nut traits, biochemical properties, and fatty acids composition were affected by CDI. Depending on the increase in CDI, nut weight, kernel weight, nut size, kernel size, total phenolic, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity increased. Nut weight, kernel weight, and kernel ratio were determined from 2.00 (low) to 2.31 g (high), 1.09 (low and intermediate) to 1.25 g (high), and 53.34 (intermediate) to 54.27 (low), respectively. The highest total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity (3675 mg per 100 g, 37.3 mg per 100 g, and 5.14 mmol per 100 g, respectively) were detected in high CDI, while the lowest (1947 mg per 100 g, 17.5 mg per 100 g, and 2.01 mmol per 100 g, respectively) were determined in low CDI. The effects of CDI on fatty acids composition were different. Oleic acid ranged from 82.46 (low) to 84.06% (intermediate), while linoleic acid was determined between 6.77 (high) and 8.78% (low). According to principal component analysis, many of the traits investigated were associated with high CDI, except nut length, kernel length, oleic acid, and linoleic acid. In conclusion, it was determined that bioactive compounds and fatty acids composition are significantly affected depending on CDI. Also, the findings of this study showed the potential consequences of the coming hazards of global warming on hazelnuts and will be helpful for future studies.