2. Mechanized management
European hazelnut is one of the few fruit species where management is almost entirely mechanized. This is a major advantage as agricultural labor availability becomes increasingly challenging. Tasks such as weed control and sucker control are done with specialized equipment that provides high efficiency with minimal labor. Harvest is fully mechanized, with options on the market suited to orchard size. Unlike other producing countries with steep topography that limits mechanization, most orchard area in Chile is flat or nearly flat, enabling machine use and resource optimization.
Soil preparation
A fundamental pre-planting task is deep subsoiling of the profile. When establishing a fruit orchard, regardless of previous land use, the soil should be loosened to a depth of at least 0.8–1.2 meters. This must be done across the entire profile, not only along the future planting rows.
The season before planting requires an irrigation study to determine technical aspects such as water source capacity and required equipment, as well as a topographic study to design the layout (mains, pipes, etc.) of the irrigation system.
Planting
Planting can be done with one- or two-year plants. Initially, when European hazelnut planting began in the country (late 1990s and early 2000s), one-year plants were used; however, because most growers were not fruit producers but came from other activities (grains, livestock, forestry, etc.), they lacked experience caring for young plants that require special attention to irrigation, weed control, and more. Significant losses occurred in the first year. Two-year plants then became preferred: with greater vigor, a more developed root system, and nursery training pruning, losses were minimal. Today, most growers prefer two-year plants because they enter production earlier.
A recurring question is whether to use single-axis or multi-axis trained plants. This is a long-standing debate. In Chile, initial plantings used the multi-axis system, influenced by Agrichile (Ferrero) and the traditional Italian system. Later, experiences from other producing regions such as Oregon (USA), where single-axis is used, plus Chile’s flat terrain, the absence of snow damage (which can break axes), and the need to mechanize management as much as possible, led to most orchards now being established with single-axis trained plants.
The most common planting spacing is 5 × 3 m (667 plants/ha); however, depending on the variety (lower-vigor American varieties such as Yamhill), densities closer to 5 × 2.5 m are used.
Irrigation
The most common irrigation method in the country is drip irrigation. Only a small area uses micro-sprinklers. The irrigation system is also used to apply fertilizers to the crop (fertigation).
Harvest
There are harvester machines of various brands and models, depending on orchard size, from tractor-pulled units to self-propelled machines.
Pruning
During the first 3–5 years (training pruning), pruning is done manually with shears or saws. Electric pruners are available and highly efficient because they reduce operator fatigue. This pruning redirects the plant to achieve a productive structure that captures as much light as possible and forms well-distributed secondary branches in the canopy.
From the sixth year onward, depending on growth and shading, some growers support pruning with hydraulic saws mounted on tractors. It is an option for managing the canopy in mature orchards, but not mandatory and depends on each farm’s strategy.
Phytosanitary control
For phytosanitary applications, mist blowers are used to distribute spray uniformly through the canopy. They are used for copper applications, aphid and stink bug control, and to manage adult insects (weevils, beetles, etc.).
