Recipient Organization
VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
PETERSBURG,VA 23803
Performing Department
Agriculture
Non Technical Summary
The growth of the craft brewing industry in Virginia and the mid-Atlantic region has created a market for locally grown brewing ingredients including hops. In response, many landowners are producing, or exploring the potential of growing hops. The general consensus is that hops is an expensive and difficult crop to grow. The trellis system required to support the bines is costly and difficult to build, and crop management calls for investment in specialized equipment for stringing, harvesting, and pest and disease management. This project will explore the potential of low-trellis hop production as a low-cost and low-maintenance alternative to conventional systems. The performance of select hop cultivars will be evaluated by studying factors including cone yield and quality, pest and disease interactions, and harvest and postharvest handling. The research site will benefit stakeholders by serving as a venue for teaching and demonstration during VSU field days and other occasions.
Animal Health Component
75%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
0%
Applied
75%
Developmental
25%
Goals / Objectives
The overall objective of the project is to explore the potential of low-trellis production of hops in the mid-Atlantic. Specific objectives are:Conduct field experiments to test the viability of low-trellis hops production in Virginia utilizing select varieties.Develop a protocol for field scouting and reporting on pest and disease interactions in low-trellis hops grown under Virginia conditions.Perform analytical tests on select varieties to compare key quality attributes of low-trellis vs. conventionally produced hops.
Project Methods
The project will start from the fall of 2018. Materials including posts, mesh (deer fence), and other hardware will be purchased as soon as the project is approved. All construction will be completed in 2018 so that planting can be done in the spring of 2019.Experimental designA two-factor (trellis height x cultivar) experiment laid out in a completely randomized design will be established to test the potential of low-trellis hops production under Virginia conditions. Two trellis heights (9ft and 12ft) each replicated three times will be tested, with hop cultivars (5 reps) randomly distributed within each trellis treatment. A similar design will be established on a conventional (18ft) trellis system as a control.Plant establishmentCertified planting stock for select cultivars will be obtained from a commercial nursery. Soil pH will be corrected and a starter compound fertilizer applied before planting. At planting, five plants per cultivar will be randomly assigned to six panels per trellis height. Plants will be spaced 3ft apart with buffers of 6ft between panels and 20ft between trellis treatments.Yard management and data collectionPlants will be fertilized at a rate of 75lb nitrogen (N) per acre in the first year and at 100lb/acre N across treatments starting from the second year. Petiole samples will be collected and analyzed seasonally to determine plant nutritional status and fertilizer rates adjusted as needed. Data will be collected on growth and yield starting from the second year. Protocols for data collection on disease and pest interactions will also be developed and applied.Postharvest handling The project will work with the Food Processing and Engineering program to test key quality attributes essential to brewing including moisture, storage index, α- and β-acids, and essential oils in crop harvested from both conventional and low-trellis systems. Some of the measurements will be done in coordination with the VSU-Agriculture Research Station Common Analytical laboratory.