Hazelnut Varieties to Improve Yield and Quality Identified in Sakarya

The Faculty of Agriculture at Sakarya University of Applied Sciences (SUBU) continues its efforts to address the yield and quality issues faced by hazelnut producers. As part of these efforts, hazelnut variety candidates have been identified through two ongoing projects led by Dean Prof. Dr. Taki Demir and faculty members: “Clone Selection of Hazelnuts in Sakarya Province” and “Development of Pollinator Varieties in Hazelnuts.” These projects aim to solve production problems and develop high-yield, high-quality hazelnut varieties.

Supported by SUBU’s Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit, the Clone Selection of Hazelnuts in Sakarya Province project, led by Prof. Dr. Taki Demir, aims to develop productive varieties to address low yields in the villages of Akyazı, Hendek, Karasu, and Kocaali. Another project, Development of Pollinator Varieties in Hazelnuts, focuses on solving the problem of insufficient pollination in hazelnut cultivation.

13 Candidate Varieties Identified

Commenting on the projects, SUBU Faculty of Agriculture Dean Prof. Dr. Taki Demir noted that they examined over 1,000 hazelnut orchards in Akyazı, Hendek, Karasu, and Kocaali as part of the clone selection project, which marks the first breeding study in the hazelnut field. As a result, they identified 13 promising hazelnut variety candidates with superior yield and quality characteristics.

“In 2024, we began the second phase of the study, conducting molecular genetic analyses to determine the genetic differences among the candidate varieties,” Demir said. “Next, orchards will be established to evaluate the performance of these superior varieties under the same environmental conditions.”

Pollinator Varieties Determined

Demir explained that due to climate change, the commonly grown “Çakıldak” variety has suffered serious yield losses in years with pollination problems. He added:

“Our Development of Pollinator Varieties in Hazelnuts project aims to develop the first pollinator hazelnut varieties in Turkey. We are evaluating wild hazelnut types found in hazelnut orchards or natural populations in Karasu and Kocaali for their compatibility as pollinators for the ‘Çakıldak’ variety. We examined their flowering time, pollen quality, fruit and husk characteristics, and studied how they affect the yield and quality of ‘Çakıldak’. As a result, we identified three promising pollinator hazelnut variety candidates.”

Additionally, graduate theses are being conducted at the faculty on pollen storage and complementary pollination to solve hazelnut pollination issues. Collaborative research is also being carried out with other universities on the effects of climate change on hazelnut farming and the suitability of pruning and training systems.