2019 ASHS Annual Conference

Hops (Humulus lupulus var. lupuloides ‘Cascade’) are considered an alternative crop for the Midwest region. Due to the crops non-traditional status, fertility and management guidelines have not been optimized for the region’s environment and soil. We hypothesized that hop cone yield and quality will vary with varying amounts and forms of nitrogen fertilizer. To test our hypothesis seven levels of N fertilizer were applied in split application in the form of granular urea at rates of 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 pounds per acre. Five combinations of three forms of N fertilizer were applied in split applications at a rate of 150 pounds per acre. The three forms were granular calcium nitrate (CN), granular urea (Urea), and liquid urea ammonium nitrate (UAN). Combinations are Urea/UAN, CN/UAN, Urea/Urea, CN/CN, and UAN/UAN. Overall plant weight increased with nitrogen concentration. There was no difference in yield per plant for those that received 50 to 250 lb of N/acre. Plants that received 0 lb of N/acre had lower yields, and those that received 300 lb of N/acre had higher yields. Overall yield per acre was not significantly different for any treatment. No significant differences were seen in yield per plant between N forms. Yield per acre varied by treatment with the CN:UAN combination producing significantly different yields than the other forms.