Scientific Study

European hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) is the major species of interest for nutritional uses within the Betulaceae family and its nuts are widely used throughout the world in the chocolate, confectionery and bakery industries. Recently his cultivation has been expanded in traditional producer countries as well as established in new places in the Southern Hemisphere, including Chile, South Africa and Australia. Introducing hazelnut in new environments could reduce its productivity, lead the trees to eco-physiological disorders and exposes the crop to high pressure of common and new pests and diseases. Thus, new approaches in cultivar choice guidance, in the sustainable orchard management and even in nuts storage and kernel quality evaluation are highly required for improving the hazelnut producing and processing chain. The main objective of this study was to systematize the published information regarding the recent findings of the cultural operations that directly influence the nut and kernel quality, support the varietal choice for new plantations and list the recent advances in nut storage and in its quality and safety evaluation.