The effects of High Temperatures on Hops Cultivars

Here is a picture demostrating the effects of prolonged high air and soil temperatures from a controlled study  Brian and I did at Great Lakes Hops Lab . The hops were subject to a minimum temperature of 90 deg. F. - maximum 110 deg. F. regime for three weeks while emerging from dormancy. Photosynthesis pretty much shut down at leaf temperatures above 90 deg., resulting in chlorosis and reduced leaf size on most varieties. Other observations noted were :

 - Dropping  air temperatures below 90 for even 2 hours / 8 hour cycles markedly increase the leaf color.
 - Soil temperatures above 95 deg stopped fine root hair growth- adding to the chlorosis.
 - different varieties can tolerate high temperatures better than others

Effect of high temps on hop varieties Newport, Spalter Select, Challenger, and Santiam

Varieties Newport and Challenger both handled the heat well (Didn't even dis-color Challenger).  Santiam showed reduced growth, while Spalter Select really took a hit.

 Take away -??- The Western European varieties (German) Spalters, Hallertauers, Tettnangers are more sensitive to high air and soil temps than American varieties like Newport, Galena, Chinook, and  Cascade.  Spalter Select obviously cannot be grown like Newport.

This does not mean the former group can't be grown successfully - it means they have to be grown DIFFERENTLY. By "differently" I would suggest closer raised row and plant spacing to create cooler temperatures in the lower hopyard canopy, leaving more lower folige to shade the soil (especially in newly established hopyards), using aerial sprinklers to cool the leaves at mid-day, and mulching new plantings to reduce soil temperatures.

 I think is is a great example of how "one size does not fit all".