Influence of Foliar Boron Application on Fruit Set and Yield of Hazelnut

Abstract

Boron (B) application to fruit crop has been recommended to improve fruit quality and fruit setting although the results of this practice on hazelnut are controversial. Thus, an experiment was conducted using trees of cv. Butler, with low B content (6.14 to 22.10 ppm), on two consecutive years (1995 and 1996), to evaluate the effect of three B treatments (300, 600, and 900 mg L⁻¹) on fruit set, productivity, nut and kernel mass and blank fruits, when applied at four different stages: ovules differentiation (May 5), fertilization stage (May 29), heart‐shaped embryo (June 20) and appearance of leaf primordia and embrional radicle (July 11). Boron sprays had no significant effect on fruit set and productivity, however there were differences between years that were attributed to climate conditions. Nut and kernel mass shows significant increase (P < 0.001) with boron sprays. The occurrence of blank fruits was not significantly affected by the time and concentration of B sprays, however there was a tendency for an increase of blank fruits with boron sprays.

Keywords:

• Corylus avellana
• Filbert
• Nutrition