The influence of cover crops and double harvest on storage of fresh hazelnuts (Corylus avellana L.)

Abstract

Hazelnuts were grown on a naturally cover-cropped plor rather than tilled soil and then harvested either with a single or a double harvest. The data collected showed that the double harvest technique with cover crop enhanced the quality and state of preservation of hazelnuts. The costs regarding both growing techniques were estimated and it was determined that the double harvest and single harvest had the same costs, while cover cropping was economically advantageous in comparison to tillage. The fresh hazelnuts were stored for six months in order to evaluate their qualitative characteristics.