Abstract

The effect of tree planting densities (800, 670 and 500 trees ha-1) (5×4, 5×3 and 5×2.5 m) were evaluated for two cultivars of hazelnut (‘Barcelona’ and ‘Tonda di Giffoni’) of 7-year-old trees cultivated with monoaxe training system with 4-5 branches. The trial orchard was located at Vilcún country, in the Araucania region, Southern Chile in volcanic soils with high tenor in organic substances. Its aim is to study the effect of the high density on the yields and quality of hazelnuts. Data regarding the fruit yield demonstrated that ‘Barcelona’ produced a trend towards higher accumulative yields at high density (800 trees ha-1) between 2011 to 2016 (8,700 kg ha-1 when compared to the lower planting densities (500 trees ha-1) (6.221, 1 kg ha-1). Regarding kernel/nut ratio (%) in ‘Barcelona’ the high density (800 trees ha-1) plots did not produce significant differences in this parameter, regarding medium and low planting densities (670 and 500 trees ha-1). In relation to ‘Tonda di Giffoni’, the highest accumulated yields were observed for the medium planting density (670 trees ha-1) with a yield of 2,708 kg ha-1 with significant differences between 2011 to 2015, with respect to the other planting densities studied (670 and 500 trees ha-1). Further, the kernel to shell ratio (%) did not show significant differences between the planting densities (800, 670 and 500 trees ha-1). On the other hand, preliminary studies carried out on grafted plants of ‘Tonda di Giffoni’ on a clonal rootstock (BA5) have shortened the unproductive period between 1-2 years and showed a trend of the highest yield with greater density of plantation (2,000 trees ha-1) when compared to the lower densities. This work has been supported by INNOVA-CORFO fund, FIA (Foundation for Agrarian Innovation), INIA-Carillanca and growers association.