CLONAL SELECTION OF ‘TONDA GENTILE ROMANA’

The hazelnut cultivar “Tonda Gentile Romana” is one of the most interesting italian cultivars grown in Central Italy, in the Viterbo province, in the area of “Cimini Mountains”, on volcanic soil and with climatic conditions suitable for hazelnut culture, with mild winters and not very hot and dry summers. For centuries the hazelnut has been multiplied by sucker and this propagation system has probably given origin to several different clones.

In 1994, a research on the clonal selection was started in order to single out the best types, characterized by medium vigour, a limitated sucker aptitude, early maturity, medium and uniform nut size, high kernel per cent, round kernel shape and good peeling ability.

The most interesting clones are under evaluation and propagation. They will be planted in a comparison trial to continue the observations and the evaluation. At present, we have singled out five very interesting clones that seem to be superior to the standard ones.