ISHS Acta Horticulturae 556: V International Congress on Hazelnut
INFLUENCE OF HARVESTING PERIOD ON HAZELNUT QUALITY |
| Authors: | J. Tous, A. Romero, X. Sentis, J. Plana, I. Diaz, F.J. Vargas |
| Keywords: | Corylus avellana, filbert, ripening, quality, kernel size, acidity, oil stability |
| Abstract:
Nuts were harvested at 15-day intervals during the nut drop period (September to October) and quality was analyzed in order to study time of nut drop in these cultivars and how harvest and handling processes affect nut characteristics and oil composition. Nuts of 'Negret', 'Pauetet' and 'Tonda Giffoni' hazelnuts (Corylus avellana L.) growing under two ecological conditions in Tarragona province (Catalonia, Spain) were harvested over a three-year period (1996-1998). Some parameters, including percent kernel, oil content (%) and fatty acid composition, did not change appreciably during the harvesting period. In some cultivars, significant changes were observed in the percentage of kernels over 12 mm in size and percentage of kernel defects such as blanks, moldy kernels and brown spots in the kernel cavity. Also, nuts left on the ground for different lengths of time showed differences in kernel moisture, frequency of moldy kernels, free acidity of the oil, and oil stability. Harvesting hazelnuts early (by mid-September) is an effective means of reducing losses and increasing crop quality. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
