The accurate definition of tree growth descriptors is a crucial step in enhancing orchard management, allowing cultivar identification within an orchard and in new genotype selection for breeding programs. In apple, almond, and olive orchards, Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) technologies have been already used to identify different architectural groups, but not in hazelnut yet. This study utilized TLS to investigate the canopy structure of hazelnut trees of four different Italian varieties, with and without leaves. TLS proved to be a sensor capable of collecting three-dimensional data from hazelnut field trials and allowed the definition and selection of hazelnut plant descriptors by morphological traits and morphological indexes. Nineteen descriptors, eight morphologic traits and 11 morphological indexes have been identified as reliable suitable descriptors of hazelnut cultivar and in breeding evaluations, according to Biodiversity, FAO and CIHEAM. Many of the selected descriptors are related to the tree habit, vigour and branching density. Two useful indexes have also been defined: Canopy Uprightness (CU) Index and the Index of Canopy Opening (ICO). The descriptors allowed us to distinguish the four studied hazelnut cultivars based on their growth habit; in particular the cultivar Tonda Gentile delle Langhe showed a growth habit that is a lot different from that of the other ones.

Pollination is a determining factor in achieving economic yield in hazelnut cultivation, and together with variable climate conditions, this requires the use of artificial pollination. This study evaluated the efficiency of artificial pollination performed with a manual sprayer using pollen from three pollinizer cultivars on the ‘Tonda Francescana^®’ commercial orchard and the effect of different pollen sources on nuts. Dry pollens were applied by a Pollen Blower machine twice during female blooming. The pollen of ‘Nocchione’ determined the highest fruit set and yield per tree, even if it did not determine the highest blank seed percentage. The open pollinizers exhibited a lower sphericity and shape index (NSI), ‘Camponica’ pollen was associated with the biggest nut and kernel; ‘San Giovanni’ pollen showed higher nut elongation. Artificial pollination turned out to be a good tool to increase yield, but its efficiency is strongly influenced by the pollen used.

Daily cycles of trunk fluctuations are used to measure plant water status. However, the traditional indicators derived from these curves constrains the selection of thresholds. The aim of this work was to evaluate a new indicator based on maximum daily shrinkage (MDS). The experiment was performed in a hedgerow olive orchard at Seville (Spain) in 2025. Trunk diameter fluctuations were characterized by weekly frequencies of the appearance of trunk growth rate values (good and severe). In addition, the indicator reference was defined as the ratio between the MDS signal (normalized from MDS with evaporative demand) and the average MDS signal at the beginning of the experiment. Three irrigation treatments were performed: fully irrigated-control, and two regulated deficit irrigation. Patterns of the trunk diameter fluctuation indicators were compared with discrete measurements of fruit development and water status. Good rates presented an earlier decrease with water stress (33 days before) and a more variable pattern than severe rates. The reference indicator showed the most sensitive pattern with an early effect (10 days before), the greatest number of differences (40 days vs. 22), and a clear read to identify water stress. These relative indicators improved the management of water stress.