SOCHI 1

Sochi 1 is an early hazelnut (Corylus avellana) variety, obtained as a spontaneous somatic mutant of the 'Cherkessky 2' variety. It was bred in 1980 and included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements in 1999. Bushes reach a height of up to 4 m, have a spreading canopy of medium density and medium growth rate. Leaves are large (10–12 cm long, 8–10 cm wide), slightly wrinkled, elongated-oval, dark green with a slight gloss.

Fruits of the variety are characterized by a large size: nut length is about 24 mm, width 26 mm, kernel mass 1.3–1.5 g (≈49 % of total mass). Skin is dense and smooth, shell of medium thickness (1–1.1 mm), light brown. Inside contains about 70 % fat, 18 % protein and B vitamins. Ripening period is early – nuts become edible in late June–early August.

The variety differs with high yield (1.5–2 t/ha of dry nuts) and stable fruiting. It shows medium resistance to frost, drought and pests, such as weevil, bud mite and borer. Self-fertility is 86–90 %, and pollen viability is 75–80 %. Thanks to these characteristics 'Sochi 1' is suitable for mechanized harvesting and can be used as a pollinator in trunk form cultivation.