Improvement of Ontario hazelnut cultivars focusing on winter hardiness and pest tolerance, with an emphasis on management of Eastern Filbert blight

Lead Applicant: John Zandstra

Research Priority: Plant Health & Protection - Performance Measurement

Program Type: Special Initiatives

Funding Cycle: 2019/2020

Research Centre: Ontario Crops Research Centre - Cedar Springs, Ontario Crops Research Centre - Huron, Ontario Crops Research Centre - Simcoe

Research Summary: There is currently great interest in expansion of hazelnut production in Ontario, largely driven by Ferrero Canada, which would like to diversify its worldwide supply of hazelnuts. The company has a ten-year goal of >20,000 acres of hazelnuts in Ontario, however the main limiting factor to this expansion is the lack of suitable hazelnut cultivars that tolerate Ontario’s climate, do not succumb to the fungal disease Eastern Filbert Blight (EFB) and have nut characteristics that are acceptable for use in Ferrero products. Ferrero desires a suitable cultivar in order to begin initiating contracts with Ontario growers. Fungicides for control of EFB are still required for many cultivars, but no efficacy trials have been conducted under Ontario conditions. This project will begin to address these issues by establishing replicated hazelnut cultivar trials in potential growing regions across Ontario and evaluating fungicide efficacy and timings to improve management of EFB.