Tonda di Giffoni is an Italian variety of very ancient origin, grown in the province of Salerno (region of Naples).
The tree is vigorous and semi-erect (Bergoughoux et al., 1978).
It holds its leaves late into the autumn and the new leaves emerge very early (mid August in the Bay of Plenty).
Flowering and pollen shed are mid-season.
The husk is slightly longer than the nut, many nuts fall in the husk.
Tonda di Giffoni is resistant to bacterial blight, and slightly susceptible to big bud mites.
Tonda di Giffoni is very precocious and productive.
The medium sized nuts are round, brown with a distinct stripe and very pronounced grooves on the sides.
The kernels are round, often grooved, and may have light fibre.
They blanch very well, with almost complete pellicle removal.
Percent kernel 44-47% (Bergoughoux et al., 1978).
Tonda di Giffoni has yielded well in most parts of New Zealand but has problems with high levels of mould and/or blanks in some orchards.
Bergoughoux et al (1978) note that it is sensitive to frosts in spring so may be best suited to warm dry areas.
It has relatively low chill requirements for catkins and vegetative buds and may be well suited to areas with mild winters and low chilling hours.
It grew well at all sites in the Australian field experiments (Baldwin, 2007).
Back to Varieties