Biologists from Altai State University together with scientists from the Chuvash Research Institute of Agriculture are studying the genetic resources of hops
During the implementation of the interdisciplinary project of the Russian Science Foundation “Genetic resources of wild and cultivated hops (Humulus lupulus L.): screening, conservation, use in breeding,” the implementation of which began this year, new information was obtained on the distribution of hops, screening of the population for the presence of viral infections started, and the collection has been replenished with promising samples.
To study hop habitats, carry out geobotanical descriptions and collect samples, two expeditions and more than 10 one- or two-day trips were organized. Based on the results of expeditionary work in the plains, foothills and mountainous regions of the south of Western Siberia and the Altai mountainous country, as well as the analysis of published data and herbarium samples, the boundaries of the range of common hops were clarified, and a database was formed on the ecotopic and phytocenotic occurrence of hops.
Project leader, professor at Altai State University Marina Silantieva notes:
“The habitat of the common hop in the south of Western Siberia is associated with the steppe, forest-steppe and southern taiga natural zones and has a significant range of habitats: from undisturbed forest phytocenoses to urbanized areas. Under natural conditions, the species is quite often found in river valleys, in riverine, deciduous and mixed bushes, in clearing areas and along the sides of forest roads. Due to the long history of cultivation of the species, both by the local population and by settlers who arrived in the south of Western Siberia, hops turned out to be widespread in populated areas and in areas of former settlements. In the Altai mountainous country, we noted common hops in the low mountains and within the mountain forest belt of vegetation to the middle mountains, as well as in the exhibition phytocenoses of the mountain forest-steppe, where it is very rare. We observed a wide variety of hop forms in nature, which may be of interest for further study.”
The conservation and use of plant genetic resources is a key element in addressing issues of food security and economic development. Common hop is a climbing perennial essential oil and medicinal plant, the vines of which can reach 6 meters or more. It is widely used in brewing and much less frequently in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.
Hop growing is one of the most labor-intensive branches of crop production and was in decline after the collapse of the Soviet Union. This led to almost complete dependence of the brewing industry on imported supplies of hop products. The situation has worsened greatly in recent years, but it is very difficult to quickly revive the industry. The RSF project is being implemented jointly with scientists from the Chuvash Research Institute of Agriculture, a branch of the Federal Agrarian Research Center of the North-East named after N.V. Rudnitsky. On the basis of the Chuvash Research Institute of Agriculture, a genetic collection of common hop plants has been created and maintained, numbering about 250 samples of wild and varietal hops from various regions of Russia and 17 countries. Based on the collection, crop selection is carried out using the clonal selection method. As part of the RSF grant, the hop collection was replenished with 21 new samples of wild hops from Altai Krai and the Altai Republic. Next year, studies of these genotypes will begin to assess their morphological and production characteristics and involvement in the breeding process.
“For hops, despite their long successful history of domestication, modern breeding methods pose a number of problems. In industrial production, hops are cultivated in one area for more than 10 years, which leads to the accumulation of viral, bacterial and fungal diseases on the plantation. This negatively affects productivity and can be transmitted to offspring during vegetative propagation. Therefore, it is important to check hop samples for the presence of hidden viral and bacterial infections,” noted the project initiator, Director of the Altai Center for Applied Biotechnology, Olga Mironenko. “Hops are susceptible to infection by many viruses and viroids, and until recently this problem remained beyond the attention of Russian scientists. The capabilities of the laboratory equipment of Altai State University made it possible to select healthy samples using PCR and ELISA methods. In addition, the objectives of the study included introducing promising genotypes into in vitro culture and developing technology for clonal micropropagation. Based on the results of this year, the in vitro hop collection was replenished with a well-growing aseptic culture of eight samples from natural populations.”
“The RSF project is designed for four years and brings together colleagues from different research institutions and regions. It attracts young researchers to solve interesting scientific problems and improves their professional skills. The project is multifaceted and addresses issues of both genetic diversity, ecology and phylogeny of the species, as well as more applied areas of preserving genetic potential and using it in breeding,” commented Marina Silantieva.