Fruit economic attributes data.

China possesses a copious and geographically diverse reservoir of hazel (Corylus spp.) resources, albeit scholarly endeavors focusing on the selection and domestication of indigenous wild hazelnut strains remain scant. To develop and utilize high-quality wild hazelnut resources, this study selected eight populations of wild hazelnuts from seven different provenances in Heilongjiang Province, China. Natural hybrid seeds of eight populations were sown in the Chohai Forest Farm in Longjiang County, Heilongjiang Province, in 2018. In April 2020, two-year-old seedlings were used to establish a provenance trial forest, thereby initiating the provenance trial. Growth parameters were measured using electronic calipers, and pollen characteristics were observed under an electron microscope. The trials meticulously explored the trees’ flowering biology, growth parameters, and the economic attributes of the produced nuts. Principal component analysis was employed to comprehensively assess differences among the wild hazelnut populations from various provenances, aiming to identify superior wild hazelnut provenances. The results unveiled significant geographical variations among the tested provenances across several facets: the flowering period of male blossoms extended from April 2nd to April 19th, while female flowering occurred within the timeframe of April 2nd to April 22nd. Moreover, pollen grain morphology demonstrated variability, with the polar axis ranging from 14.02 to 17.09 micrometers, the equatorial axis spanning 16.02 to 18.75 micrometers, and the ratio of polar to equatorial axes fluctuating between 0.88 and 0.92. Through correlation analyses, nut length emerged as a pivotal determinant significantly influencing both kernel weight and the hundred-grain weight. A principal component analysis (PCA) further consolidated these findings, selecting the Nehe-originated variegated Corylus heterophylla as the superior provenance based on a comprehensive evaluation of its combined traits. This study constitutes a seminal contribution to the hazelnut breeding endeavor in China, establishing a robust foundation for informed cultivation strategies geared towards optimizing both the yield and the quality of hazelnut resources, thereby advancing the understanding and exploitation of China’s wild hazelnut biodiversity.

中国拥有丰富且地理分布多样的榛属（Corylus spp.）资源，但针对本土野生榛品系的选育与驯化研究仍较为匮乏。为开发利用优质野生榛资源，本研究从中国黑龙江省7个不同种源地选取了8个野生榛种群。2018年，将8个种群的天然杂交种子播种于黑龙江省龙江县潮海林场。2020年4月，利用2年生苗木营建种源试验林，正式启动种源试验。本试验采用电子游标卡尺测定生长指标，通过电子显微镜观察花粉特性，细致探究了榛树的开花生物学特性、生长指标以及结实坚果的经济性状。采用主成分分析（Principal Component Analysis，PCA）对不同种源野生榛种群的差异进行综合评估，旨在筛选优良野生榛种源。研究结果显示，供试种源在多个维度均存在显著地理变异：雄花花期为4月2日至4月19日，雌花花期为4月2日至4月22日。此外，花粉粒形态亦存在变异，极轴长度为14.02~17.09微米，赤道轴长度为16.02~18.75微米，极轴与赤道轴的比值波动于0.88~0.92之间。通过相关性分析可知，坚果长度是影响果仁重量与百粒重的关键因素。主成分分析（PCA）进一步验证了上述结果，通过综合评价各性状，将讷河来源的斑叶平榛（Corylus heterophylla）确定为优良种源。本研究为中国榛属育种工作提供了开创性参考，为优化榛资源产量与品质的科学栽培策略奠定了坚实基础，同时推动了对中国野生榛生物多样性的认知与开发利用。