Hazelnut research and innovation
AmaNut Italy invests in hazelnut research and genetic improvement to develop new cultivars capable of meeting the needs of modern hazelnut farming. Productivity, nut quality, resilience and adaptability are at the heart of our work, addressing both today's growing conditions and tomorrow's challenges.
Genetic research for the future of hazelnut farming
Our research programme has a clear objective: to develop innovative, productive and resilient plant material capable of adapting to the changing conditions facing hazelnut cultivation. Through genetic improvement and clonal selection, we work to develop new clones that combine productivity, consistent nut quality and greater resistance to major biological and environmental threats. Our aim is to identify plants capable of maintaining high performance even under variable soil and climate conditions, while helping to reduce the need for intensive agronomic interventions.
New hazelnut cultivars for evolving production needs
Many European hazelnut orchards still use cultivars selected decades ago, under climatic and production conditions that differ from those of today. Climate change, sustainability and farm profitability make it increasingly important to continue improving the genetic characteristics of cultivated plants.
For this reason, our research focuses on developing improved cultivars that combine different agronomic and quality characteristics, creating new opportunities for future hazelnut orchards.
What we look for in new hazelnut varieties
Our selection work considers numerous factors that can influence plant performance, orchard management and production quality.
In particular, AmaNut Italy's research focuses on selecting clones with the following characteristics:
- Late female flowering and delayed vegetative growth, to reduce the risk of damage caused by early frosts and spring cold spells.
- Early nut drop in August, to facilitate harvesting and limit risks associated with autumn weather conditions.
- High vigour and production efficiency.
- Early entry into production.
- Uniform growth and ripening.
- Tolerance to climatic stress and major plant diseases.
- High organoleptic and technological nut quality, for both the processing industry and direct consumption.
- Variability in nut shapes, with the aim of exploring new industrial applications.
Our research therefore considers the plant as a whole, from its agronomic characteristics to the potential of its nuts.
Research and selection of new pollinators
The AmaNut Italy programme also includes the selection of new compatible pollinator varieties, with the aim of improving pollination efficiency in specialised hazelnut orchards.
Our research seeks to identify pollinator varieties capable of covering the entire female flowering period of the main commercial clones, focusing on pollen compatibility, pollen production and flowering synchronisation.
Effective pollination management can help increase fruit set and orchard productivity, improve production stability over time, reduce premature nut drop and failed fertilisation, and promote greater crop uniformity.
154 hectares as an open-air laboratory
One of the strengths of our research programme is the opportunity to test new selections directly in the orchards managed by our group.
Our 154 hectares become a true open-air laboratory, where we can observe the performance of new genetic varieties under different environmental and growing conditions.
Each selection is monitored over several years, collecting data on growth, productivity, nut quality, stress response and management costs before being considered suitable for commercial introduction.
This allows us to combine experimental trials with a practical assessment of plant performance under real production conditions.
From research to AmaNut Italy’s orchards
Research is not separate from our agricultural production: it is an integral part of the AmaNut Italy project. New selections considered suitable may gradually be introduced into our orchards, and some will be used exclusively by AmaNut Italy, with the aim of developing distinctive products that are not available from other producers. Genetic research, field experimentation and production therefore come together within the same supply chain, with a vision focused on the future of hazelnut cultivation.