Oregon is renowned for producing some of the highest quality hazelnuts in the world, thanks to its ideal climate and rich volcanic soils. The state ranks No. 1 in the United States in hazelnuts, producing 99% of the hazelnuts grown in the United States. About 1,000 Oregon farm families grow hazelnuts on almost 97,000 acres. The farmgate value of Oregon’s hazelnut harvest has averaged over $120 million annually in recent years.
Oregon State University (OSU), through its Agricultural Experiment Station and Extension Service, plays a crucial role in supporting Oregon hazelnut growers. Investments in OSU research and development help improve hazelnut production practices, leading to higher yields and better-quality nuts. This, in turn, enhances the economic viability of hazelnut farming.
New strains of Eastern Filbert Blight (EFB) are infecting hazelnut trees with the Gasaway resistance gene in Oregon and Washington. Genetic analysis shows these strains differ from those in the eastern United States and are evolving regionally. Affected cultivars include Jefferson, McDonald and Yamhill, with infections reported in several areas.
OSU fungicide research and breeding programs for quantitative resistance are ongoing. Despite the challenge, new promising hazelnut varieties are in development, and OSU Extension provides resources and guidance to hazelnut growers on how to manage the disease. This includes scouting for cankers, pruning infected wood, implementing fungicide spray programs and submitting samples for testing.
In addition to breeding new varieties, OSU conducts hazelnut research that focuses on improving tree health, pest and disease management and enhancing yield and quality. OSU collaborates with industry partners, such as Ferrero, to fund research projects aimed at addressing key challenges faced by hazelnut growers. These partnerships help ensure the sustainability and profitability of the hazelnut industry.
Here are some key initiatives:
- Researchers like Nik Wiman, an associate professor and Extension orchard crops specialist and Marcelo Moretti, an associate professor, both of whom are in the Department of Horticulture, are leading efforts in areas such as biological control of pests and integrated weed management.
- María Isabel Zamora Re, and assistant professor and statewide irrigation specialist in the Department of Biological and Ecological Engineering, is studying hazelnut water use and development of irrigation crop coefficients for irrigation.
- OSU Extension research focuses on developing effective IPM strategies for both new and existing hazelnut pests, including the brown marmorated stink bug.
- Studies are being conducted to optimize nutrient management practices, ensuring trees receive the right balance of nutrients for optimal growth and yield.
- OSU is exploring the use of precision agriculture technologies to enhance hazelnut production, including soil health monitoring and targeted pest control.
- OSU partners with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s IR-4 Program to help hazelnut growers access new crop protection tools like herbicides, insecticides and plant growth regulators. Through research at the OSU North Willamette Research and Extension Center, the university supports pesticide registration, ensuring safe effective pest management and sustainable hazelnut production.
- OSU is studying hazelnut organoleptics, which is the science of how we experience food through our senses: taste, smell, sight, touch and sometimes sound. The Department of Food Science and Technology and OSU Food Innovation Center in Portland are collaborating on consumer sensory panels, providing data to improve product quality and development. This research ensures hazelnut products meet consumer expectations and maintain high standards.
OSU’s hazelnut research and Extension programs provide invaluable support to the state’s hazelnut industry. By developing disease-resistant cultivars and implementing advanced agricultural practices, OSU ensures higher yields, improved kernel quality and sustainable farming methods.
These initiatives not only bolster Oregon’s position as the leading hazelnut producer in the United States but also contribute to the economic vitality and environmental sustainability of the region. — By Nik Wiman, Jay Pscheidt and Marcelo Moretti, Oregon State University Extension
Monocultures can lead to the displacement of native plant life, but many growers and researchers are finding a benefit in planting flowering hedgerows in orchards. This includes attracting predatory insects and pollinators. Heather Andrews, a faculty research assistant with Oregon State University, spoke with Matthew Malcolm from Pacific Nut Producer about how these hedgerows are helping hazelnut growers in the Willamette Valley. Watch this quick video and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
