ISHS Acta Horticulturae 556: V International Congress on Hazelnut
PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF HAZELNUT PERFORMANCE IN CHILE |
| Authors: | P. Grau, A. France, M. Gerding, A. Lavin, A. Torres |
| Keywords: | filbert, phenology, pollinizers, manganese toxicity, environmental stress, Aegorhinus superciliosus, Aegorhinus phaleratus |
| Abstract:
Although early immigrants introduced hazelnuts (Corylus avellana L.) more than 200 years ago, the species is still little-known in Chile. Several factors have contributed to this situation, including the absence of standard cultivars in the country, the complex floral biology of the species, and a lack of information about orchard management practices for hazelnut. In the mid-1980's, a number of commercial cultivars were introduced from Europe and the USA by researchers at Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA) to evaluate their adaptation to Chile. Experimental orchards were established in three of INIA's experimental stations in south-central Chile: Cauquenes, (a dry-inland area) in the VII region (region del Maule), Quilamapu,(irrigated central valley) in the VIII region (region del Bio Bio), and Carillanca (humid central valley) in the IX region (region de la Araucania). Most European cultivars shed their pollen too early to be effective pollinizers, apparently as a consequence of mild temperatures in the fall and early winter. However, late-shedding types were identified in germplasm of seedling origin. Further studies of phenology and compatibility led to the selection of potential pollinizer clones. Preliminary results on phenology, nut production, nut traits, and pest and disease issues are presented. None of the main pests and diseases of hazelnut in other countries are present in Chile. However, the native weevils, Aegorhinus superciliosus and A. phaleratus, whose larvae feed on the bark and the main root, are serious pests of hazelnut. Nematodes and entomopathogenic fungi are being studied for biological control of these soil pests. | |
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