Ukrainian Journal of Forest and Wood Science

Introduction and breeding of purple-leaved hazel in the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

Volodymyr Mezhenskyj, Vasyl Halinskyi, Liudmyla Mezhenska, Volodymyr Krasovskyi, Taisiia Cherniak
Download article
Abstract

This study was conducted in 2023-2024 to clarify the origin and introduction of purple-leaved hazel, and to examine the morphological and physiological characteristics of the best genotypes developed by the authors. Morphometric analysis of nuts, quantitative and qualitative composition of pigments in leaves in dynamics, and observation of the influence of abiotic and biotic environmental factors were carried out. It was found that there were mutants in Corylus with red/purple colouration of the pellicle of kernels and/or leaves. They have been found repeatedly in different places in Europe, belonging to the species Corylus avellana and/or Corylus maxima. Taxonomists consider these taxa to be distinct; however, molecular studies suggest that Corylus maxima should be synonymised with Corylus avellana. The best selections of purple-leaved hazel are characterised by high-quality nuts weighing 2.5-3.2 g with a kernel percentage of 48.0-51.7. The content of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, and anthocyanins in purple-leaved selections ‘Profesorskyi’, ‘Aspirantskyi’, and ‘Akademichnyi’ was generally higher than in green-leaved varieties, although this difference was not statistically significant in most cases, except for anthocyanins. The high anthocyanin content in the leaves (up to 0.69 mg/g in May) and in the fruit involucres gave these genotypes exceptional decorative effect during the first half of the growing season and beyond. These genotypes had high winter hardiness and drought resistance and are well adapted to local soil and climatic conditions. Among the biotic environmental factors, the nut weevil Curculio nucum (damaging the nuts), and the powdery fungus Phyllactinia guttata (affecting the leaves) had a negative impact. The fungus Erysiphe corylacearum, new to Ukraine, was also found on the leaves. These findings support the wider introduction of purple-leaved hazel, as the best genotypes are highly ornamental and also produce nut. The obtained data will be useful for forest restoration, landscaping and amateur gardening

Keywords

Corylus avellana; ornamental plants; anthocyanins; nut weigh; kernel percentage; powdery mildew

Suggested citation
Mezhenskyj, V., Halinskyi, V., Mezhenska, L., Krasovskyi, V., & Cherniak, T. (2025). Introduction and breeding of purple-leaved hazel in the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Ukrainian Journal of Forest and Wood Science, 16(2), 8-24. https://doi.org/10.31548/forest/2.2025.08
References
  1. Allegrini, A., Salvaneschi, P., Schirone, B., Cianfaglione, K., & Di Michele, A. (2022). Multipurpose plant species and circular economy: Corylus avellana L. as a study case. Frontiers in Bioscience-Landmark, 27(1), article number 11. doi: 10.31083/j.fbl2701011.
  2. Bahrianyi (2022). In Protection of plant variety rights (Vol. 1, p. 553). Vinnytsia: LLC “Tvori”.
  3. Barbakan. (2021). In Protection of plant variety rights (Vol. 6, p. 820). Vinnytsia: LLC “Tvori”.
  4. Bassil, N., Boccacci, P., Botta, R., Postman, J., & Mehlenbacher, S. (2013). Nuclear and chloroplast microsatellite markers to assess genetic diversity and evolution in hazelnut species, hybrids and cultivars. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 60, 543-568. doi: 10.1007/s10722-012-9857-z.
  5. Convention on Biological Diversity. (1992, June). Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/995_030#Text.
  6. Cooke, W.B. (1952). Nomenclatural notes on the Erysiphaceae. Mycologia, 44(4), 570-574. doi: 10.1080/00275514.1952.12024218.
  7. Dubovyk, M.V. (1934). Corylus maxima Mill. var. purpurea Hort. from the Kyiv Botanical Garden as an example of a periclinal chimera. Bulletin Kyiv Botanical Garden, 17, 19-21.
  8. Goktepe-Atilgan, I., Dogan, A., & Ari, S. (2023). Enhancement of taxane production in cell suspension culture of Corylus avellana L. Kalınkara by elicitation and precursor feeding. Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment, 37(1), article number 2255703. doi: 10.1080/13102818.2023.2255703.
  9. Gu, K.-D., Wang, C.-K., Hu, D.-G., & Hao, Y.-J. (2019). How do anthocyanins paint our horticultural products? Scientia Horticulturae, 249, 257-262. doi: 10.1016/J.SCIENTA.2019.01.034.
  10. Hartney, S., Glawe, D. A., Dugan, F. M., & Ammirati, J. (2005). First report of powdery mildew on Corylus avellana caused by Phyllactinia guttata in Washington state. Plant Health Progress, 6(1). doi: 10.1094/PHP-2005-1121-01-BR.
  11. Hatier, J.-H. B., & Gould, K. S. (2008). Anthocyanin function in vegetative organs. In C. Winefield, K. Davies, & K. Gould (Eds.), Anthocyanins: Biosynthesis, functions, and applications (pp. 1–19). doi: 10.1007/978-0-387-77335-3_1.
  12. Heluta, V.P., & Fokshei, S.I. (2020). New records of an alien fungus Erysiphe corylacearum (Erysiphales, Ascomycota) in Ukraine. Plant & Fungal Research, 3(1), 11-17. doi: 10.29228/plantfungalres.64.
  13. Heluta, V.P., Makarenko, N.V., & Al-Maali, G.A. (2019). First records of Erysiphe corylacearum (Erysiphales, Ascomycota) on Corylus avellana in Ukraine. Ukrainian Botanical Journal, 76(3), 252-259. doi: 10.15407/ukrbotj76.03.252.
  14. Hicks, D. (2022). Biological flora of Britain and Ireland: Corylus avellana. Journal of Ecology, 110(12), 3053-3089. doi:10.1111/1365-2745.14008.
  15. Hrynenko, U.V., & Zhuravel, I.O. (2017). Determination of chlorophyll and carotenoid content in spinach leaves (Spinacia oleracea L.). Collection of Scientific Works of Employees of the P.L. Shupyk National Medical Academy of Physical Education and Sports, 28, 29-33.
  16. Ishchuk, H.P. (2007). Establishment of forest cultures Juglans nigra L. in forestry’s of Uman state-run forest enterprise. Scientific Bulletin of UNFU, 17.6, 25-31.
  17. Johnson, O., & Moore, R. (2023). Corylus avellana L. Retrieved from https://www.treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/corylus/corylus-avellana/.
  18. Kokhno, N.A., & Kurdyuk, A.M. (1994). Theoretical foundations and experience of introduction of woody plants in Ukraine. Kyiv: Naukova dumka.
  19. Kosenko, I.S. (2002). Family Corylaceae – hazel and related trees. In M.A. Kokhno (Ed.), Wild and cultivated trees and shrubs. Angiosperms. Part I. (pp. 204-315). Kyiv: Fitosotsiotsentr.
  20. Kosenko, I.S., Opalko, A.I., Balabak, O.A., & Shulga, S.M. (2016). Corylus spp. genetic collection use in hazelnut Corylus domestica Kos. et Opal. improvement. Journal of Native and Alien Plant Studies, 12, 120-136.
  21. Król, K., & Gantner, M. (2020). Morphological traits and chemical composition of hazelnut from different geographical origins: A review. Agriculture, 10(9), article number 375. doi: 10.3390/agriculture10090375.
  22. Kryventsov, V.Y. (1982). Methodical recommendations for the analysis of fruits for biochemical composition. Yalta: State Nikita Botanical Garden.
  23. Lichtenthaler, H.K. (1987). Chlorophylls and carotenoids: Pigments of photosynthetic biomembranes. Methods in Enzymology, 148, 350-382. doi: 10.1016/0076-6879(87)48036-1.
  24. Mezhenskyj, V. (2022). Rare fruits in Ukraine. Chronica Horticulturae, 62(3), 40-44.
  25. Mezhenskyj, V.M., Pyshcholka, D.V., Mezhenska, L.O., & Havryliuk, O.S. (2024). An overview of the red-fleshed apple: History and its importance for horticulturists, gardeners, nurserymen, and consumers. Biosystems Diversity, 32(1), 158-167. doi: 10.15421/012416.
  26. Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine. (2024). State register of plant varieties suitable for distribution in Ukraine. Retrieved from https://minagro.gov.ua/file-storage/reyestr-sortiv-roslin.
  27. Molnar, T.J. (2011). Corylus. In C. Kole (Ed.), Wild crop relatives: Genomic and breeding resources, forest trees (pp. 15-48). Berlin; Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag. doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-21250-5_2.
  28. Nayak, Y.N., Gaonkar, S.L., & Sabu, M. (2022). Chalcones: Versatile intermediates in heterocyclic synthesis. Journal of Heterocyclic Chemistry, 60(8), 1301-1325. doi: 10.1002/jhet.4617.
  29. Nejshtadt, M.I. (1957). History of forests and paleography of the USSR in the Holocene.
  30. Shataer, D., Li, J., Duan, X.-M., Liu, L., Xin, X.-L., & Aisa, H.A. (2021). Chemical composition of the hazelnut kernel (Corylus avellana L.) and its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 69, 4111-4119. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.1c00297.
  31. Shevchuk, L.M. (2019). The content of biologically active substances in the fruits of traditional and less common cultivated fruit crops. Bulletin of Agricultural Science, 97(1), 81-88. doi: 10.31073/agrovisnyk201911-12.
  32. Sliusarchuk, V.Ye. (2006). Biodiversity of filbert and hazelnut: Conservation and improvement. Scientific Bulletin of UNFU, 16.6, 11-18.
  33. Тkach, V.P., Таrnopilska, О.М., & Оrlov, О.О. (2024). Тypes of forest formations of Ukraine in the system of European classifications. Kharkiv: LLC Typography Madrid. doi: 10.33220/2024.978-617-8254-23-0.