Climate Stress, Not Disease, Dries Hazelnut Branches in Black Sea Region

November 3, 2026 · Dünya Gazetesi

A comprehensive field study by the Black Sea Agricultural Research Institute in four provinces revealed that branch drying in hazelnut orchards is not caused by disease. Experts identified frost, excessive rainfall, and sudden temperature fluctuations as the culprits, warning producers against unnecessary chemical applications.

Climatic Stress Leads to Drying

The Black Sea Agricultural Research Institute conducted a comprehensive field study on branch drying observed in hazelnut orchards in the Black Sea Region during the 2026 production season. Institute experts and personnel from provincial and district agricultural directorates collected samples from orchards in a total of 4 provinces: Samsun, Ordu, Giresun, and Trabzon. Following laboratory tests and metagenomic analyses, no disease agents associated with the drying cases were detected.

Assessing the research findings, Director of the Black Sea Agricultural Research Institute, Assoc. Prof. Dr. İlyas Deligöz, stated:

'The cause of the drying is not disease, but climatic stress such as frost, excessive rainfall, and temperature fluctuations.'

Pruning and Fertilization Warning for Producers

Providing technical recommendations, Assoc. Prof. Dr. İlyas Deligöz emphasized the absolute necessity to avoid unnecessary and uninformed spraying. To protect tree health, Deligöz called for pruning dried branches back to healthy tissue and advised immediate removal of pruning debris from the orchards. Officials also highlighted the need to address drainage problems in the orchards and recommended avoiding excessive nitrogen use, ensuring fertilization is based on soil analysis. The Institute announced that it will continue its scientific studies in the field uninterrupted for the sustainability and productivity of Turkish hazelnuts.

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