Hazelnut «ATA-baba» – a premium variety bred in Azerbaijan through folk selection and included in the state register of breeding achievements. The tree reaches a height of 4.2 m, has a powerful trunk and a flat, dense crown, which ensures good resistance to wind loads and facilitates mechanized harvest.
The variety is characterized by early fruiting: the first fruits appear as early as the 5th–6th year after planting. Yield reaches up to 9.5 centners of hazelnuts per hectare, and the average nut weight is 2–2.1 g. Fruits are round with a pointed tip and a light-gray base; under the thin skin are dense, clean kernels. Due to high pollen viability (80–85%) and a good pollinator, «ATA-baba» ensures high self-fertility of 0.95–0.97.
The variety is resistant to most diseases and pests: hazelnut weevil, bud mite, longhorned beetle. Under unfavorable conditions, it may be affected by powdery mildew, but overall it demonstrates medium resistance to frost and drought. «ATA-baba» fruits are widely used as snack products – roasted halves, and can also be used in confectionery due to their rich taste and high quality.
