HOP GERMPLASM

The conservation of the hop germplasm is part of a National Crop Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Programme. The main goal of this programme is to collect, preserve, and evaluate the genetic diversity of major crop plants and their wild relatives for breeding and research.

Since 1972 a large collection of hop germplasm has been built up at the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation - State Research Institute in Pulawy. It consists of actually cultivated and historical cultivars developed in Poland and other hop growing countries, female and male valuable breeding lines, as well as the wild forms.

At present, the hop germplasm collection includes 232 female genotypes originating from 13 countries and about 180 male accessions. The hop resources are maintained and characterised in the field. The evaluation of accessions is carried out in three-year cycles and covers more than 20 biological, morphological and agronomic characteristics, resistance to diseases and brewing quality.

The hop genotypes gathered in the collection demonstrate the wide range of variability within each trait observed and they provide valuable source of new alleles to be incorporated in cultivated hops. Comprehensive evaluation data increase the efficiency in breeding of hop cultivars adapted to the changing demands of the market.