Influence of Training Systems on Vegetative Traits and Fruit Yield of Hazelnut

This research was conducted to test the effects of pruning systems for hazelnut cultivation and production in north of Iran. The experiment was carried out for three years in Astara Research Station. Three training systems (one trunk, two trunks and four trunks) were used on three cultivars („Ronde-Dopimont‟, „Fertile‟, „Segorbe‟) and a native genotype (Geird). The experiment was conducted factorially using randomized complete block design with three replications. Trees were seven years old and traind in three forms of one, two and four trunk from early growth. Five vegetative traits, including trunk diameter growth, annual growth, canopy height, canopy diameter and canopy volume were measured. The quantitative nut traits; nut weight, kernel weight, kernel percentage, empty nut percentage, yield per tree and total yield were recorded for three years. Results showed that the growth traits of fruits were affected by cultivar and training systems. The training system of one trunk increased the totalfruit yield and the quantitative traits related to nuts, while the four trunks system resulted in more vigorous vegetative characteristics compared with one or two truck.