Climatic Suitability of Different Areas in Abruzzo, Central Italy, for the Cultivation of Hazelnut

The demand for nuts has prompted the need to identify additional zones for hazelnut cultivation in Italy. There is great interest in the Abruzzo Region, in the central-eastern part of the country. The relationships between climate and environmental requirements for hazelnut were analyzed, taking into account the geography of the region, as well as climate change. The study was conducted by using the weather data from 34 stations between 1980 and 2019. The chilling requirements of the species are mostly met, except on the southern coast. Hot spring and summer caused an increase in the growing degree day in all locations. Years with minimum temperatures below -10 degrees C from December to March were almost null in coastal areas and the hilly belt. Late spring frosts in inland and mountainous areas occurred frequently, and the number of days with temperatures above 30 degrees C showed an upward trend everywhere. Five locations (Santo Stefano, Caramanico, Vasto, Isola del Gran Sasso, and Penne) were suitable for hazelnut cultivation, three were moderately suitable, seven were not very suitable, and nineteen were unsuitable.