Crop Management Strategies for Hop Production in Alabama

Abstract

This thesis investigates the impact of crop management strategies for hops, including mulching, trellis system type, and cultivar selection in Alabama. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between these treatments and the performance of hop plants (i.e., growth, photosynthetic response, yield, cone size, and cone quality). Findings reveal a significant influence of cultivar, mulching, and year-to-year variability with yield, as well as cone quality. Cone yield decreases significantly when stress increases, especially during the developmental stage of cones. The use of V-trellis systems did not significantly differ than the use of straight trellis systems in this experiment. These results suggest that cultivar selection is crucial for Alabama hop production, and trellis type may not improve yield or performance during the initial years of hop establishment and/or in under instances of stress.