Performance and variability for agronomic characteristics and brewing interest of hop genotypes in the Planalto Catarinense

ABSTRACT: Studies on the improvement of hops (Humulus lupulus) in Brazil are recent and seek to establish self-sufficiency in production. Knowledge of the variability of genotypes available in the country is of fundamental importance for the development of a hop improvement program. The objective of the research was to characterize and identify hop parents with agronomic and brewing potential for the Planalto Catarinense region, Brazil. The randomized block design arranged in a 3x4 factorial scheme was used with 12 treatments: (Factor 1: three years of cultivation (2019, 2020 and 2021) and combined with factor: four genotypes (Cascade, Chinook, Columbus and Hallertau). The characters evaluated were fresh mass of plants (MFP, g), green mass of cones (MTV, g), dry mass of cones (MSC, g), alpha-acid content (ALFA, %) and production (PROD, g per plant). The Hallertauer genotype showed better performance and differentiated behavior for the characters of fresh mass of plants, dry mass of cones and production, when compared to the others. Thus, from these results it was observed that there is variation available for the genetic improvement of hops for these characters, a factor that will allow obtaining productive gains in the development of new cultivars, based on this promising genotype.