Under Slovenian legislation, hop varieties must be entered in the Slovenian National List of Varieties before their planting material can be produced and marketed, except where specific derogations apply. While the registration procedure provides basic information on varietal characteristics and value for cultivation and use, the professional programme Introduction of New Slovenian and Foreign Hop Varieties focuses on their practical performance and adaptation under Slovenian pedo-climatic conditions. The programme is implemented within the Public Service for Hop Production, coordinated by the Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing (IHPS) and financed by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Slovenia.
Because hop is a perennial crop that can respond strongly to local microclimatic and soil conditions, the successful introduction of a variety requires more than evaluation of its genetic potential. Field trials therefore focus on developing variety-specific cultivation technologies by testing key agronomic factors such as pruning time, shoot training, planting density, fertilisation, organic production practices, and susceptibility to diseases and pests. Particular attention is given to foreign varieties, which may perform differently from the environments in which they were originally bred.
The overall objective is to identify production practices that support optimal growth, high and stable yields, and consistent hop quality, and to provide Slovenian hop growers with reliable information for the introduction of new Slovenian varieties and potentially suitable foreign varieties into commercial production. The programme continuously upgrades knowledge on varietal characteristics, agronomic performance and cultivation requirements.
For more information, please contact the professional programme leader, dr. Barbara Čeh (barbara.ceh@ihps.si).