Development of a Hop with European Aroma Characteristics¹

1 Presented at the 52nd Annual Meeting, Tucson, AZ, May 1986. Contribution of the USDA, Agricultural Research Service, in cooperation with the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station. Technical Paper 8013.

Abstract

In recent years, the well-known German aroma hop Hallertauer mittelfrüher has become increasingly scarce in world hop markets. In 1985 it occupied only about 10% of West Germany's hop acreage, compared to nearly 80% 20 years ago. Despite strong demand from the brewing industry, low yields and susceptibility to Verticillium wilt have made this hop unattractive to German hop growers. Mass selection and elimination of major hop viruses have not significantly improved Hallertauer's yield potential. Therefore, the development of a higher yielding, disease-resistant Hallertauer-type aroma hop is a desirable alternative. In 1983, a tetraploid Hallertauer was crossed to nine aroma-type male hops. The males were selected over a 10-year period based on agronomic and chemical evaluation. All showed a high breeding potential for aroma characteristics, and most were derived from known European aroma hops. Five selections, USDA 21455, 21456, 21457, 21458, and 21459, representing four different crosses, were identified in 1985 as having aroma properties similar to their parent Hallertauer mittelfrüher. All five are genetically seedless triploids, early to medium early in maturity, with an indicated yield potential at least twice that of their female parent. This paper presents detailed agronomic and quality data on the five aroma selections in comparison with the Hallertauer and Tettnanger controls.

• α-Acids
• β-Acids
• Cohumulone
• Essential oil
• Humulus
• Yield