Potential fruit production evaluation of Gevuina avellana, during one season (1999-2000) in the coastal dryland of the VII Region

Abstract

Gevuina avellana Mol., belongs to a monospecific genera of the Proteaceae family, which is endemic to Chile and Argentina. This evergreen Chilean tree is a component of different native habitats from the Andes and the Coastal mountains, between the VII and the X Region. This species has a wide range of uses, the most outstanding of which is its production of edible nuts. Traditionally the Chilean hazelnuts were collected from the native forest and marketed locally. Their excellent properties converted them into a fruit-species with great economic potential. In order to respond to quantity and quality demands of the chocolate industry, the potential production of Chilean hazelnuts was studied in the coastal dryland in the VII Region, using traps to collect samples. Based on their dimensions, insertion into the surrounding vegetation, and anthropic management, five tree types were defined. The greatest productivity was found on isolated trees surrounded by periodically fertilized and irrigated crops, with a production of nearly 14 kg/tree. This indicated the possibility of incorporating avellana into silvoagricultural management. Nut drop is concentrated in a period of 5 to 6 weeks, with the possibility of scheduling the harvest to minimize production and quality losses. It was observed that marked flower clusters need 8 months between the formation and ripening of nuts, with 1.6 to 4.7 % of fruit set depending on the tree type.