Analysis of morphological, pomological and yield characteristics in clones of ‘Tombul’ hazelnut

Abstract

This research was carried out to identify superior clones of ‘Tombul’ hazelnut in terms of quality and yield. Field investigations were performed in grower orchards and 29 clones were identified in 2012. Molecular analyses revealed that 14 selections were genetically different from ‘Tombul’. A replicated yield trial was initiated in 2014. Phenological, pomological and yield data were collected between 2018 and 2021. There were no significant differences for male and female flowering and leaf budbreak dates between ‘Tombul’ and its clones. The nut and kernel characteristics varied among the clones. The traits and range of values are: number of nuts cluster-1 (3.28-4.01), nut weight (1.91-2.14 g), kernel weight (1.02-1.16 g), nut size (16.60-17.50 mm), kernel size (12.15-13.14 mm), shell thickness (0.94-1.18 mm), diameter of kernel cavity (1.29-1.77 mm), percentage of good nuts (91.75-95.0%), blanks (0.75-2.67%), kernel percentage (51.12-54.37%), blanching (85.75-92.25%), oil content (58.25-64.75%) and protein content (16.12-16.83%). The values for ‘Tombul’ were 3.96, 1.99 g, 1.08 g, 17.01 mm, 12.55 mm, 0.90 mm, 1.29 mm, 93.3%, 2.0%, 53.37%, 88.75%, 58% and 16.52%, respectively. The cumulative yield plant-1 was 6.68 kg in ‘Tombul’ and it ranged from 5.12 to 8.84 kg among the clones. © 2023 International Society for Horticultural Science. All rights reserved.