Know-How from Odessa: Farmer Grows Hazelnuts in Test Tubes

In Izmail, farmers grow hazelnuts in an unusual way – in test tubes. Plants are reproduced in vitro, which allows them to stay resistant to viruses and to grow quicker, writes “Agro-Center” with a reference to “Agro Yug”.

This method is effective for obtaining a large number of seedlings during a short time. It also helps to heal planting material from infections.

Plants grown in this way develop faster and bear fruits earlier. The cultivation of such plants does not require the use of chemicals.

The head of the farm, Alexander Ponomarenko, said that before starting the experiment he had studied the work of his foreign colleagues. He bought a nut of two varieties “Tonda de Romano” and “Ennis” to begin with.

The farmers planted hazelnut clones in coconut fiber soaked with a special nutrient solution and covered them with a film. The clones will be transplanted into small containers, in which the seedlings will grow until spring. In spring, the plants will be transplanted into open ground.