Hop Production, Breeding, and Variety Development in Various Countries

Abstract

Only about 30 countries are engaged in commercial hop (Humulus lupulus L.) production. The older hop varieties are primarily aroma types, developed locally by selection of superior plants in farmers' fields. Today the relatively few countries with hop breeding programs use mass selection, hybridization, and mutation breeding. Other countries rely primarily on introduction and adaptation of successful hop varieties from these programs. This article presents recent information on hop breeding and variety development as they relate to hop production in various countries.