TROPICALIZATION OF HOPS (Humulus lupulus L.), CANNABACEAE: LIGHT SUPPLEMENTATION ON AGRONOMIC, PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL PERFORMANCE

• Grant number: 23/12485-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2024
• End date: January 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Crop Science
• Principal Investigator: Filipe Pereira Giardini Bonfim
• Grantee: Filipe Pereira Giardini Bonfim
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas (FCA). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Adam Rabinowitz ; Elizabeth Orika Ono ; Marcia Ortiz Mayo Marques ; Valeria Cristina Rodrigues Sarnighausen

Abstract

The objective of the study is to evaluate the photosynthetic characteristics, phenological development, productive and economic performance, as well as the quality of aroma and bitterness compounds of hops, 'Comet' variety, under light supplementation in subtropical conditions. The project will be carried out in the experimental orchard of Fazenda Lageado in the municipality of Botucatu - SP, belonging to the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Campus de Botucatu, of the Universidade Estadual Paulista - FCA/UNESP. The experimental design will be in randomized blocks, in a split plot (2x2), formed by two factors (light and harvest), with their respective light levels (with and without light supplementation); and two production cycles (2023/2024 and 2024/2025), consisting of 10 blocks and four plants per plot, totaling 40 experimental units. The area with light supplementation will receive Full Spectrum light reflectors, measuring 20 cm x length, 12 cm depth and 17 cm height, with radiation in a wide range, including photosynthetically active (PAR), between 400 and 710 nm, 50W of power, 120° angle, bivolt, with aluminum housing and water resistant. The reflectors will be placed at the ends of the areas, in order to emit light throughout the cultivated area. The light supplementation will be done 4 hours after sunset in order to promote the amount of light indicated in the literature. The plants will be cultivated in spacing of 3 x 1 m and will be conducted in a "V", being guided in sisal to the top of the driving system structure to 6 meters. The characteristics to be evaluated refer to photosynthetic and phenological analyses, agronomic performance, economic aspects and phytochemical characterization of hops produced under experimental conditions. The data will be submitted to analysis of variance (P<0.05) and the means of the factors will be compared by the Tukey test at 5% probability. It is intended with the results obtained in this project, to elucidate the effects of light supplementation in the cultivation of hops in subtropical conditions, as well as the validation of productive systems, economically viable, for the culture in the state of São Paulo. (AU)