The hazelnut variety Sofiyivskyi 15 was selected through screening of the genetic collection of Corylus L. at the National Dendrological Park 'Sofiyivka' of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine based on its economic traits. This variety is characterized by round fruits, enhanced winter and drought resistance compared to Turkish and Azerbaijani varieties, as well as the absence of fruiting irregularity, making it reliable for cultivation under various climatic conditions. The adoption of a new selection scheme allowed the selection material to pass through the breeding process 5–8 years faster, facilitating quicker introduction of the variety into production.
Studies on the ecological and biological features of hazelnut propagation showed that rooting of stem cuttings depends on the variety, form, time of collection, and part of the shoot. For the Sofiyivskyi 15 variety, as well as for other Ukrainian varieties, seedlings exhibit high similarity, especially when hazelnuts are sown in autumn with husks without stratification. This ensures better seedling development compared to spring sowing. Another important factor is the use of different substrates for rooting, which increases the yield of successfully rooted vertical seedlings of commercial varieties.
Propagation features include the use of leafy wood grafting and the application of copper wire rings at the lower part of the mother plant’s shoot, which promotes better root formation. The Sofiyivskyi 15 variety is distinguished by high fruit quality with large kernel fill, positively affecting reproductive performance. Thanks to these properties, the variety is promising for commercial cultivation and breeding work.
