ISHS Acta Horticulturae 556: V International Congress on Hazelnut
STEM POSITION AND STEM LENGTH EFFECTS ON FRUIT SET OF ‘ENNIS’ AND ‘BUTLER’ HAZELNUT |
| Authors: | A. Santos, A.P. Silva, MA. João Franco |
| Keywords: | Corylus avellana, filbert, production, yield, fruitfulness, flowering density, canopy |
| Abstract:
Production and productivity of hazelnut trees is highly dependent upon stem length and position, which influence flowering density. This study monitored flower bud production, catkin and cymule flower number, and cluster number from January to November 1999 on 10–year old ‘Ennis’ and ‘Butler’ trees. These cultivars are two of the most productive in the Trás-os-Montes region of Portugal. The objective was to determine the correct plant management to promote growth of the most productive stems. Three replications of four stem length classes were selected and observed on the inside and outside of the canopy of five trees of each cultivar throughout the growing season. Catkin and cymule flowers counts in ‘Ennis’ were 55% higher than in ‘Butler’ resulting in a 25% higher fruiting rate. For both cultivars, the numbers of catkin and cymule flowers varied (P<.0001) with shoot length. Catkin density varied inversely with shoot length. Female flowers had a maximum density on 25 cm shoots and decreased with increasing shoot length. Average fruiting rates in ‘Ennis’ and ‘Butler’ were 14 and 24%, respectively, with no differences among shoot lengths. Significant differences were found in number and density of flowers and in fruiting rates between internal and external shoots. The latter had potential for higher yields and nut quality. ‘Ennis’ has higher trunk and crown productivity than ‘Butler’, but under our experimental conditions its cumulative production was lower due to differences in canopy volumes. | |
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