International Journal of Horticulture, 2024, Vol.14, No.6, 381-393 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 386 5.2 Climatic and environmental requirements for hop cultivation Hops (Humulus lupulus L.) are a temperate crop that thrives in regions with specific climatic conditions. The primary environmental requirements for successful hop cultivation include adequate sunlight, moderate temperatures, and sufficient water availability. Hops are typically grown in regions with long daylight hours during the growing season, which is essential for their photoperiodic flowering response (Jastrombek et al., 2022; Fortuna et al., 2023). In subtropical regions like Brazil, the main challenge is adapting hop cultivars to shorter daylight hours. Techniques such as supplemental lighting and irrigation have been employed to overcome these challenges and optimize yield and quality (Jastrombek et al., 2022; Fortuna et al., 2023). In semi-arid regions, such as parts of Italy, hop cultivation requires careful management of water resources and temperature control to ensure successful growth and high-quality yields (Marceddu et al., 2020). 5.3 Challenges and market volatility in the global hop supply chain The global hop supply chain faces several challenges, including market volatility, environmental factors, and the need for technological advancements. One of the primary challenges is the fluctuation in hop prices, which can be influenced by changes in demand from breweries, climatic conditions affecting yield, and geopolitical factors (Neve, 1983; Kubeš, 2021). Environmental challenges such as disease, pests, and climate change also pose significant risks to hop production. Organic hop production, for instance, faces difficulties related to weed management, fertility, and disease pressures, which can impact yield and quality (Turner et al., 2011). Additionally, the adaptation of hop cultivars to new growing regions, such as subtropical and semi-arid areas, requires ongoing research and development to ensure successful cultivation (Marceddu et al., 2020; Jastrombek et al., 2022; Fortuna et al., 2023). In recent years, wildfires along the west coast of USA have been impacting the hop quality profile with detectable smoky compounds like guaiacol and cresols that result in smoke taint in the consequent beers. Market volatility is further exacerbated by the concentration of hop production in a few key countries. Any disruption in these regions, whether due to environmental factors or market dynamics, can have a significant impact on the global supply chain (Kubeš, 2021). The increasing demand for high-quality hops, driven by the craft beer industry, has led to investments in new hop varieties and cultivation techniques to meet the evolving needs of brewers (Dobis et al., 2019; Mozzon et al., 2020; Guimarães et al., 2021). While the global hop production landscape is dominated by a few key players, there is a growing interest in expanding hop cultivation to new regions. This expansion is driven by the increasing demand from the craft beer industry and the need for diversified raw materials. However, the hop supply chain faces several challenges, including market volatility, environmental factors, and the need for technological advancements to ensure sustainable and high-quality production. 6 Hop Breeding and Future Technological Developments 6.1 Comparison of traditional and modern breeding techniques Traditional hop breeding methods have relied heavily on phenotypic selection and cross-breeding within established lines to develop new varieties with desirable traits such as improved aroma, bitterness, and disease resistance. These methods, while effective, are time-consuming and labor-intensive, often taking several years to produce a new cultivar (Seigner et al., 2009; Patzak and Henychová, 2018). Traditional breeding has also faced challenges due to the complex genetic architecture of hops, including non-Mendelian inheritance patterns and aneuploidy, which complicate the selection process (Easterling et al., 2018). In contrast, modern genomic technologies such as molecular breeding, gene editing, and marker-assisted selection (MAS) have revolutionized hop breeding. Techniques like CRISPR/Cas9 have been employed to facilitate precise genetic modifications, enabling the development of strains with specific traits such as enhanced flavor profiles and disease resistance (Krogerus et al., 2021). Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and quantitative trait loci
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