What to do for yield and quality in hazelnuts: Fertilization warning from experts

Samsun Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Sağlam called on hazelnut producers to use conscious and balanced fertilization. Sağlam stated that hazelnuts are a strategic product for both regional agriculture and the Turkish economy, and emphasized that maintenance and fertilization should not be neglected for sustainability in yield and quality.

SOIL AND LEAF ANALYSIS IS A MUST

Reminding that hazelnut production is carried out on 1 million 249 thousand 679 acres in Samsun, Sağlam said that in order to determine the nutrients that the hazelnut plant needs throughout the year, soil and leaf analyses should be carried out in accordance with the technique. He stated that according to the analysis results obtained, fertilizers can be applied both from the soil and from the leaves.

ROOT STRUCTURE SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION ON SLOPING LANDS

Stating that the hazelnut plant takes in nutrients through its roots, Sağlam drew attention to the fact that root development progresses 1-2 meters upwards and 2-3 meters downwards on sloping lands. For this reason, he emphasized that fertilizers should be applied to the crown projection.

NITROGENOUS FERTILIZER SHOULD BE APPLIED TWICE A YEAR

Stating that nitrogenous fertilizer application is critical for hazelnuts, Sağlam noted that half of the recommended amount of these fertilizers should be applied before shoot growth begins and buds awaken, and the other half at the end of May. Fertilizers should be sprinkled on a 30-40 cm strip under the branch projection and mixed with a hoe to a depth of 5-10 cm.

SHOULD NOT FORGET TO CLEAN THE EXILE IN MAY

Sağlam stated that the bottom shoots must be cleaned at the end of May. He also stated that the micro element fertilizers that are determined to be deficient can be applied both from the leaves and the soil.

POST-HARVEST FALL FERTILIZATION IS IMPORTANT

Sağlam suggested that phosphorus and potash fertilizers, farm manure and lime should be applied between November and February, based on post-harvest analysis. He said that these practices would also directly contribute to next year’s yield.

“IF FERTILIZATION IS NEGLECTED, YIELD WILL DECREASE” WARNING

Stating that if maintenance and fertilization processes are neglected in hazelnuts, soil fertility may decrease over the years, Sağlam said that producers should apply fertilizers detected in time according to the structure of the land, especially in gardens where frost damage is seen. Sağlam said, “I hope that our producers will be affected by the negativities experienced as little as possible, and I emphasize once again that we are always with them in this process.”