The cultivar, tested as OSU 880 027, is a crossbreed between 'Tonda Pacifica x Santiam' developed within the Oregon State University's genetic improvement programme. McDonald is an early cultivar - the nuts fall 14 days earlier than 'Barcellona', i.e. before the rainy season, so cleaning and drying costs are lower.
The plant has the following characteristics:
1) rather vigorous;
2) very resistant to the Easter Filbert Blight (EFB) disease caused by Anisogramma anomala;
3) good yields of medium-small high-quality fruit;
4) exceptional good yields when unshelled (52%).
The cultivation of the McDonald variety was recommended for the Willamette Valley in Oregon, where 99% of US hazelnuts are produced, as well as for all other regions with a similar climate.
The name was chosen as a tribute for professor Peter G.
McDonald, who significantly contributed to the genetic improvement programme and helped create the OSU Foundation.
Source: Shawn A. Mehlenbacher, David C. Smith, Rebecca L. McCluskey, June 2016, ''McDonald' Hazelnut", HortScience, vol. 51(6), pag. 757-760.
hortsci.ashspublications.org/content/51/6/757.extract
Contacts:
Shawn A. Mehlenbacher
Department of Horticulture
4017 Agricultural and Life Sciences Building
Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331
Email: shawn.mehlenbacher@oregonstate.edu