Aim of study: Evaluation of the agronomic performance and chemical profile of four hop cultivars grown under Mediterranean conditions.
Area of study: The study was undertaken in Bragança, north-eastern Portugal.
Material and methods: The newly introduced cultivars (‘Columbus’, ‘Cascade’ and ‘Comet’) were compared with the well-stablished
‘Nugget’. The field experiment was carried out between 2017 and 2019. Dry matter (DM) yield (plant and cones), tissue elemental composition
and bitter acid and nitrate (NO3-) concentrations in the cones were assessed.
Main results: ‘Comet’ was the most productive cultivar with the highest total DM yield (1,624 to 1,634 g plant-1), cone yield (572 to
633 g plant-1), and dry weight of individual cones (0.28 to 0.79 g cone-1). ‘Cascade’ showed the lowest average total DM yield (723 to 1,045
g plant-1). The year affected the average values of DM yield and the concentration of bitter acids in the cones, with ‘Cascade’ showing the
highest sensitivity between cultivars. The concentrations of α and β-acids in the cones were within or close to the normal ranges internationally
accepted for all cultivars. ‘Columbus’ exhibited the highest levels of α-acids, ranging between 12.04 % and 12.23%, followed by
‘Nugget’ (10.17–11.90%), ‘Comet’ (9.32–10.69%) and ‘Cascade’ (4.46–8.72%). The nutrient accumulation criteria in cone and leaf tissues
seem to be a differentiating factor between cultivars with influence on bitter acid biosynthesis and biomass production.
Research highlights: All cultivars showed notable performance in terms of DM yield and bitter acid concentration in the cones when
compared to international standards.
Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and the European Regional Development Fund, ERDF (Programme PT2020)
CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2019)
Scholarship to Sandra Afonso (BD/116593/2016)
