Comparison of biomass in Czech hop cultivars ‘Premiant’ and ‘Sládek’ grown in low and tall trellises

Abstract

Spring field operations in a tall wirework frame require excessive labor, which may be often difficult to have in an optimal time and a good quality. Especially stringing and training are expensive and lengthy field operations, which can cause problems with optimum timing of treatments against downy mildew, hop flea beetle and weevils. Effectiveness of Czech hybrid tall cultivars ‘Premiant’ and ‘Sladek’ grown in a low trellis was observed. The results in the third year of cultivation (2011) showed different distribution of hop biomass. Hop cones, leaves, laterals and bines were picked by hand and weighed. Distribution of the individual parts in ‘Premiant’ (P) and ‘Sladek’ (S) was compared: 1. Tall trellis: cones 36% in both cultivars, leaves 28% (P), resp. 31% (S), bine 19% (P), resp. 18% (S), laterals 17% (P), resp. 15% (S); 2. Low trellis: cones 13% (P), resp. 24% (S), leaves 37% (P), resp. 34% (S), bine 38% (P), resp. 25% (S), laterals 12% (P), resp. 17% (S). The height of a trellis severely influenced the yield potential of hop plants. Vegetative tops did not train themselves and started to bend after reaching the height of 3 m. If we compare the productivity of cones in the both tested cultivars we can conclude that ‘Premiant’ is less suitable for low trellis cultivation.