Nocchione hazelnut — an Italian selection, widely grown in the Lazio region, suitable for both cultivation and processing. This variety features medium-sized nuts with a thick, light-brown striped shell. The nuts are harvested in clusters of 3-4 and have a medium-sized kernel encased in a fibrous husk. Due to its excellent blanching ability, Nocchione hazelnut kernels are widely used in the confectionery industry.
The tree of this variety exhibits strong growth vigor and high productivity even with moderate growth strength. Male flowers bloom early, while female flowers bloom in mid-season, ensuring a medium-early fruiting period. The variety possesses a very strong root system, enabling successful cultivation even on poor soils. Yield reaches 3500 kg per hectare, with a kernel extraction rate of approximately 38%.
For effective pollination, recommended varieties include Tonda Gentile Romana, Tonda di Giffoni, Lansing, Jefferson, and Merveille de Bollwiller. Due to its characteristics and high-quality nuts, the Nocchione variety is in demand both for direct consumption and for industrial processing, as evidenced by its use in specialized hazelnut production farms.
