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Sustainable Method for Potato Haulm Desiccation

Participants learned about the Burger Farm’s experience in testing new methods of potato haulm destruction and were introduced to both chemical and non-chemical approaches to the desiccation of ware potatoes. Properly performed desiccation is an important agronomic measure, as it affects tuber maturation, skin quality, harvesting efficiency and the reduction of risks associated with tuber damage and infection.

The event brought together potato growers, researchers and experts, who presented practical experience and results obtained within the #PRIRAST and #CLIMAGROW operations and the targeted research project Development of a Sustainable Method for Potato Haulm Desiccation.

A significant part of the event was devoted to adapting potato production to climate change. The effects of drought and heat stress on potato growth and yield were presented, together with options for improving water-use efficiency and the importance of timely and professionally managed irrigation. The discussion also covered measures that growers can adopt to reduce the risks posed by increasingly frequent extreme weather events.

Technological innovations presented at PotatoEurope – PotatoEurope 2026, relating to modern approaches to potato production, crop management and harvesting, were also highlighted.

The event concluded with a practical demonstration of non-chemical potato haulm destruction using the HOAF KB 1.5 Twin Burner. The machine’s operation and its potential applications in practice were presented by Dr Peter Dolničar and Tomaž Poje, MSc, from the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia.

Events of this kind facilitate the direct transfer of research results and new technologies into agricultural practice while strengthening cooperation among research institutions, advisory services and growers. By jointly developing effective and environmentally responsible solutions, we contribute to more sustainable, resilient and competitive potato production in Slovenia.

Practical Demonstrations of Modern Technologies in Hop Production

Today, we conducted practical demonstrations at the hop farm Ribič, where participants were introduced to modern methods for monitoring soil and plant status, as well as advanced technologies supporting precision hop production:

Soil compaction assessment – Within the #CLIMAGROW operational project, we demonstrated methods for measuring soil compaction and highlighted its importance for root development, water retention, and adapting hop production to climate change.
Physiological measurements in hops – Is the hop under stress? – As part of the #PRIRAST operational project, we demonstrated physiological measurements that enable the assessment of heat and drought stress in hop plants, providing a better understanding of plant responses to changing environmental conditions.
Automated soil sampling and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) soil mapping – Within the #Robot4Plants operational project, we presented the use of an automated soil sampler and ground-penetrating radar for high-resolution soil mapping, supporting precision management of hop fields.

We would like to thank all hop growers and other participants for the excellent attendance, great interest, and many engaging questions. It is encouraging to see the growing interest in modern technologies, which represent an important step towards more sustainable, efficient, and data-driven hop production.

These operational projects are implemented under Intervention #IRP38 of the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan 2023–2027.

IHPS colleagues receive prestigious IHGC awards

At the 60th Congress of the International Hop Growers’ Convention (IHGC), held from 26 to 29 July 2026 in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, Germany, Slovenia was represented by delegates from the Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing (IHPS), the Slovenian Hop Growers’ Association, hop merchants, and hop growers. During the IHGC General Assembly, distinguished individuals were honoured for their outstanding achievements and long-standing contributions to the hop industry.

This year, Slovenia received four prestigious honours. Upon the nomination of the Slovenian Hop Growers’ Association, hop growers Slavko Šalej and Franc Gajšek were awarded the Order of the Hop, First Class (Knight). On the nomination of the IHGC International Scientific and Technical Commission, the same distinction was awarded to Dr Sebastjan Radišek. Upon the nomination of the IHGC Executive Board, Prof. Dr Martin Pavlovič received the Order of the Hop, Second Class (Officer).

We warmly congratulate all the recipients on these well-deserved honours.

How Does Hop Cope with Heat Waves?

At IHPS, we monitored how hop plants respond to high temperatures and intense solar radiation during hot summer conditions. Measurements showed that the plants were exposed to considerable environmental stress, with leaf temperatures exceeding 35 °C and very high levels of solar radiation.

Under these conditions, hop plants responded by partially closing their stomata, thereby reducing water loss. As a consequence, photosynthetic activity also decreased to some extent.

This indicates that, even under challenging environmental conditions, hop plants maintain their ability to use available light efficiently and can rapidly resume normal growth once conditions improve.

This research helps us better understand the impacts of climate change on hop production and supports the development of more effective irrigation strategies and cultivation practices to adapt hop production to increasingly frequent periods of heat and drought.

More information about the LI-COR equipment used for these measurements is available on the LI-COR website under LI-600 Porometer/Fluorometer for Broad Leaves.

More about the project: IRP 38: CLIMAGROW – Inštitut za hmeljarstvo in pivovarstvo Slovenije

#IRP38 #CLIMAGROW The project is supported by funding from the European Union and is implemented within the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy 2023–2027 for Slovenia.

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Voščilo 2026

The team of the Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing wishes you a Merry Christmas and a happy 2026.

Greetings 2025

EU campaign: Plant Health for Life

EFSA, the European Commission (EC) and their partners in Member States of the European Union (EU) are launching the #PlantHealth4Life campaign. The campaign promotes awareness of plant health and its link with our everyday life.

More information available on official website

International Hop Growers‘ Convention: 25-29 June 2023

As a partner of International Hop Grower’s Convention (IHGC) IHPS is organizing a Scientific Conference which will take place at the end of June 2023 in Ljubljana and in Žalec. The information about the event is available at IHPS website.

16th days of open doors in the Garden of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants at IHPS

We invite you to the 16th days of open doors in the Garden of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants at our institute, which will take place on May 5th and 6th, 2023, from 8am to 6pm. Excellent lectures will be held, and there will be a sale of organically grown herb seedlings throughout the event – both days from 8:00am to 6:00pm.

There will be also guided tours through a diverse range of organic medicinal and aromatic plants in the Garden of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants.

It is certainly a very interesting and current event, and we will be happy to have your company!

More (in Slovene): 16. dneva odprtih vrat v Vrtu zdravilnih in aromatičnih rastlin na IHPS – predavanja, prodaja sadik | Facebook

Commodity Expert Working Group (CEG) – HOPS

The #mucf Commodity Expert Group (CEG) #hops met today to discuss issues related to #minoruses. Presentations on treated LWA (leaf wall area) calculation in hops and an overview of a CBCVd monitoring carried out in Germany complimented this meeting. We would like to thank all the participants, more than 16 experts from 7 different European countries and the US, for participating in the remotely held meeting.