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It is the culmination of ten years of research.

Who is the report targeted at
It is intended to provide valuable information for existing hazelnut growers, those planning to grow hazelnuts, potential investors in the hazelnut industry, individual advisers and policy makers.

Aims/Objectives
The principal aims/ objectives of this research were to:

• Determine the most suitable hazelnut varieties that could be used for the establishment of a hazelnut industry in south-eastern Australia.
• Assess the effects of geographical region and climate on hazelnut production and varietal performance.
• Assess the productive potential of hazelnuts in Australia.

Background
Australia imports over $15m of hazelnuts annually. There are opportunities for both import replacement and the development of a range of hazelnut products from Australian grown hazelnuts.

Hazelnuts are a health food, being high in monounsaturated fats, vitamin E, calcium and potassium.

Although hazelnuts were introduced into Australia more than 150 years ago, an industry has not developed, yet we have many significant nut and tree fruit industries. Currently, production of hazelnuts in Australia is very small, only about 20-50 tonnes per annum of in-shell nuts, compared with a consumption of about 2,000 tonnes of kernels, equivalent to over 4,000 tonnes of in-shell nuts.

Methods used
Five field sites were established in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania to study the potential of 25 hazelnut varieties. The research included observations of the flowering characteristics of the varieties, measurements of tree growth, nut yields and assessments of kernel quality. Automatic weather stations were used to monitor climatic conditions at all sites. Plant tissue testing was used to monitor the nutrient levels of the trees annually at all sites. The physical and chemical status of the soils at all sites was also assessed.

Results/Key findings
Varietal performance
No single variety gave the highest yield at all sites. The two best yielding varieties were Barcelona and Tokolyi/Brownfield Cosford (TBC). The Italian variety, Tonda di Giffoni, also performed well.

The variety Lewis, which was bred at the Oregon State University (OSU), also showed considerable promise. These four varieties are suited to the kernel market. The choice of variety for planting is strongly influenced by the grower’s target market. The largest market is the kernel market. Many buyers or processors require specific kernel attributes, such as taste, size, ease of blanching and pellicle thickness. The key attributes of the varieties evaluated are reported. The potential pollinisers for the most promising varieties are given.

The effects of climate and soils on site selection for hazelnut production
The climatic data recorded at the sites was analysed and compared with key centres of hazelnut production overseas. Generally, hazelnuts require a relatively cool climate with moderate rainfall.

Characteristics of suitable sites:
 

• Mean temperature in coldest month < 10oC, to provide sufficient chill
• Mean temperature in hottest month < 31oC
• Mean average annual rainfall > 750mm, along with supplementary irrigation
• Rainfall pattern dominant in winter and spring, with dry autumn for harvest
• Relatively sheltered sites, with suitable windbreaks if required.
• Deep, well-drained soils with loamy texture and pH 6.0.

Productive potential
The growth of trees and the nut yields obtained from the Myrtleford site, for the variety Barcelona, were found to be comparable to those obtained from similar experiments in Oregon, USA. The nut yields obtained from the established trees at all the mainland sites were equivalent to 2-2.5 tonnes/ha, which are comparable to yields obtained from productive commercial orchards in Italy, Spain, Oregon, USA and France.

Although establishment costs for hazelnuts are estimated to be $6,000-$8,000 per hectare, established orchards should be capable of providing a gross margin of $3,000-$5,000 per hectare, depending on yield and price received.

Implications for stakeholders
Production and product quality aspects
 

1. There appears to be great potential for hazelnut production in the cooler parts of Australia, such as on the alluvial soils of the river valleys in north-eastern Victoria, in parts of Tasmania and on the Central Tablelands of NSW. Plantings in these areas could lead to a substantial industry.
2. The varieties TBC and Barcelona appear to be well adapted to a range of agro-climatic and soil conditions in South-eastern Australia, with Lewis and Tonda di Giffoni also showing promise.
3. Care needs to be taken in site selection and site management, as hazelnut trees require deep welldrained soils of low acidity with shelter from damaging winds.
4. Supplementary irrigation is required to minimise the effects of erratic rainfall, to ensure adequate growth in spring and to avoid moisture stress in late spring and summer, during the periods of fertilisation, nut development and kernel fill.

Pest management issues

1. The pest, Big Bud Mite, is present in Tasmania. Some strategies need to be set in place to prevent the spread of this pest to the mainland, where it does not appear to exist at present.
2. There do not appear to be any serious insect pests or diseases of hazelnuts in Australia, apart from Big Bud Mite in Tasmania, giving potential to grow the crop organically and to capitalise on this market opportunity.
3. Sulphur crested cockatoos can be a major pest at the later stages of nut development and during nut fall. Growers need to be prepared for the management of this pest, which appears to be relatively easily scared when flocks first enter an orchard. Regular surveillance of this pest is required to prevent it from feeding in orchards. It is a particular problem in small orchards when landholders are absent. The birds can consume the entire crop if left uncontrolled.

Recommendations
Recommendations to facilitate the successful and long-term development of the hazelnut industry are:

Productivity and market acceptance
The experiments conducted indicate that there are four varieties – Barcelona, TBC, Lewis and Tonda di Giffoni - that have good yield potential and have acceptance for particular niches in the kernel market. At this stage of industry development, these are recommended as the most suitable varieties to grow for that market.

Each of these varieties has its own limitations and there is no ideal variety. If the industry seeks to expand to meet all of Australia’s hazelnut needs, other varieties would be required to give higher yields and superior quality kernels. This would probably require a plant breeding and evaluation program, but at this stage of industry development such a program could not be justified.
 

• It is recommended that further evaluation of new and promising varieties be conducted.

This research should involve productivity and quality aspects as well as market acceptance.

It is generally recommended that irrigation systems be established to supplement rainfall deficiencies at key stages in tree and nut development. Micro-sprinklers were used at Myrtleford, Moss Vale and Orange with drip irrigation at Kettering and Toolangi. In France, Spain and, to a lesser extent, in Italy, drip irrigation is used in hazelnut orchards. Many studies on irrigation have been conducted overseas; there is a need to review the literature on irrigation and develop guidelines for growers and identify areas where further research might be needed so that scarce water resources can be used efficiently.
 

• It is recommended that a review of the literature on irrigation of hazelnuts be conducted and guidelines on irrigation be developed for growers At Myrtleford, a complete foliage canopy was achieved about seven years after planting. The nut yields reached a plateau at this stage. It is possible that higher yields might have been obtained by removal of trees or some form of pruning to manage the canopy. There will be a need for research on this matter in due course.

• It is recommended that research on plant spacing and canopy management (pruning) be conducted at some future date.

Industry development and extension
If the hazelnut industry is to develop, it is considered desirable to establish a concentration of growers and plantations in regions suited to hazelnut production such as Northern Tasmania, North-eastern Victoria and the Central Tablelands in NSW.
 

• It is recommended that groups of growers in these areas work in collaboration, to share knowledge and support any contractors or parties that invest in harvesting and processing equipment to maximise economies of scale.
• It is recommended that funding be made available to facilitate the development of the industry in such areas

Pest management
Big Bud Mite was identified as a pest of hazelnuts in Tasmania; to date this pest has not been found on the mainland.

• It is recommended that strategies for the control of Big Bud Mite be evaluated and controls be implemented to prevent the spread of this pest to newly planted areas in Tasmania and to the mainland.

Implementation of the recommendations
1. Industry initiatives.
It is recommended that the peak hazelnut industry body, the Hazelnut Growers of Australia (HGA), develop a strategic plan for industry development that includes priorities for research and that further funding be sought to undertake studies on the topics identified in the section on "Productivity and market acceptance".

2. Community and government support
A key ingredient of industry development will be initiatives taken by growers or groups of growers.

They will require support from local communities, such as local councils and funding from state or federal government sources, for regional development initiatives. Such funds will be required to assist with the costs of travel to study production methods, mechanisation and marketing as well as for the development of infrastructure, such as harvesting equipment and processing facilities.

3. Policy development
The management or control of Big Bud Mite requires action from government working in collaboration with the industry. It is considered there is a need for action to be taken to mitigate against the spread of this pest, which is a potential threat to the developing industry. A program of action needs to be developed by the industry in conjunction with state government authorities with legislation to support any recommendations that are developed for the management of this pest.

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