Patent Grant
PP18602
The flowers (cones) of the female hop plant, Humulus lupulus L, are used in the making of beverages, especially beer, as a flavoring and processing component. Hops contribute towards the bitterness and aroma in beer as well as foam quality and flavor and taste stability.
Hop plants, hops cones, male hop flowers, hop plant parts, hop tissue cultures and hop extracts also have bioactive properties; including anti-microbial, anti-cancer, anti-osteoporosis, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, soporific, anti-androgenic, and pro-estrogenic activities, among others; which may be used in herbal remedies, in antimicrobial preparations for food, fodder, food fermentation, food process, animal husbandry; or in non-food uses, such as composting, biofuel processing, fermentation process, water treatment, animal bedding and phytoremediation; and uses in cosmetics, in nutraceutical and in pharmaceutical applications and in research thereof. Examples activities and non-berverage uses are included herein by references: J Hazard Mater. Apr. 26;91(1-3):95-112; Mol Cancer Ther. Sep;1(11):959-69; Phytochemistry. May;65(10):1317-30; U.S. Pat. No. 6,423,317 (2002); U.S. Pat. No. 6,623,775 (2003).
Agricultural end-product users, growers, handlers and processors of hops, of hop plants, of hop tissues and of hop products use hops and are affected by the agronomic, developmental, morphological, chemical and physical properties that vary among unique and distinct asexually reproduced varieties. This invention relates to an asexually produced hop variety, named “BRAVO”, invented in a planned and symmetrically executed breeding program.
This invention relates to a new genetically, chemically, and morphologically distinct variety of hop selected from among the multitude of hop plants resulting from a controlled cross-pollination during the summer of 2000. The cross-pollination was between a proprietary non-patented female hop plant referred to as “Zeus” with a proprietary non-patented male hop plant (98004×USDA 19058m)m. The parents of “98004” (non-patented) are female hop plant “Nugget” (commercially available and non-patented) and a non-patented male progeny of open pollinated “Nugget”.
The cross-pollination resulting in “BRAVO” was performed in 2000 by Roger Jeske, one of the named inventors in a field in Prosser, Wash. During 2001 seeds collected from the cross-pollination were germinated and screened for powdery mildew resistance in a greenhouse in Prosser, Wash. These seedlings were planted in a field nursery and further screened for gender, vigor, cone type, and disease resistance with the best genotypes being advanced to a single hill hop nursery during the spring of 2002. Mr. Jeske discovered the “BRAVO” variety during the summer of 2002 among the numerous hop genotypes growing in a single hill hop nursery in Prosser, Wash. These hop genotypes growing in the single hill hop nursery were grown in a 3.5′×14′ spacing on twine attached to an 18′ trellis system.
Chemical analysis and field observations in 2002 demonstrated unusually high percentage of alpha-acids, lack of powdery mildew in the leaves and cones, and an exceptional cone set. Cones were compact and easy to pick with no shatter. Vigor was excellent and yield potential appeared to be exceptional, although yield data was not taken in 2002.
In 2003, “BRAVO” was asexually propagated in greenhouses at Prosser, Wash. Rhizomes from the original single hill plant of “BRAVO” were dug, divided and planted into multiple greenhouse grown containers. Softwood cuttings were periodically taken from these original containers until approximately 4,000 softwood-cutting plants were made. These plants constituted the first asexual reproduction of the “BRAVO” variety and are the second generation. They were grown at two geographical locations with no powdery mildew observed. These two small scale trials consisted of a multi-hill planting (7 plants) located in fields in Prosser, Wash. and a multi-hill planting (7 plants) in fields located in Sunnyside, Wash. These trials were subjected to standard agronomic, cultural and management practices for the purposes of determining harvest ability, yield, chemical characteristics, and process ability. Also, established in 2003 was a large-scale trial of second-generation plants north of Prosser, Wash. This consisted of planting two acres in a 3.5′×14′ configuration (1778 hills), with two softwood cuttings of “BRAVO” planted per hill.
During 2003, 2004, and 2005 second-generation plants in the two small-scale trials and one large-scale trial at in fields in Prosser, Wash. were sampled for chemical analysis and harvested for yield evaluations. Results from the test plots provided additional information supporting the disease resistance, yield potential, and alpha-acids projections made from the original “BRAVO” plant (first generation) selected in 2002. This confirmed the exceptionally high yield and high alpha-acids percentages of the new variety. The 2003 harvest of greenhouse potted plant baby “BRAVO” yielded 2200 lbs./acre from the two-acre test plot of second-generation plants grown north of Prosser, Wash. The 2004-2005 commercially harvested two-acre test plot of second-generation plants produced an average of 3200 lbs/acre. Commercially harvested hop cones were kiln dried to approximately 10% moisture, then were pressed into 200 lb. bales. Bale samples from the 2003-2005 second generation “BRAVO” hops grown in field locations in Prosser, Wash. showed an average alpha-acids level of 17.5% and beta-acids level of 3.5% (American Society of Brewing Chemists spectrophotometric method). The percentage of alpha acids is nearly identical to the commercial variety “Zeus” non-patented, (mother of “BRAVO”). Storage stability of second generation “BRAVO” had an average loss of alpha-acids of the harvested hop cones stored at room temperature (22° C.) for six months of 33%. “Zeus”, the mother of “BRAVO”, by comparison had an average loss of alpha-acids of 48% in identical storage stability trials.
In 2005, the second asexual reproduction of the “BRAVO” variety took place. The second-generation rootstock from the two acres was dug, divided and planted into a larger acreage test plot near Sunnyside, Wash. These third generation plants were grown located in a field near Sunnyside, Wash., utilizing standard agricultural practices that are common for hop production, except no powdery mildew fungicides application was made. Third generation plants were sampled for chemical analysis and harvested for yield evaluations. Results from this third generation large-scale test plot provided additional information supporting the powdery mildew resistance and high alpha-acids percentages. The 2005 yield from these baby “BRAVO” plants was very good as compared to the baby yield of other commercial varieties.
Based on agronomic and chemical evaluations over a number of growing seasons both secondary and tertiary clones (second and third generations) of “BRAVO” exhibited genetic stability with respect to its novel characteristics of complete powdery mildew resistance, very high yield (>3000 lb./ac), and high alpha-acids percentages. This is in contrast to the mother, “Zeus”, which is very susceptible to powdery mildew.
All observations, evaluations and testing of the “BRAVO” variety's agronomic, morphological, physical, and chemical properties were carried out by or directed by the inventors.
The variety “BRAVO” is very late maturing and is usually not ready to pick until the 20th to the 30th of September. The compact and ovoid shape cones of this variety are mid sized and very plentiful resulting in easy mechanical picking and cleaning much like “Nugget” (non-patented). The cones detach easily from stems, and the cones do not shatter during commercial harvesting and drying.
In order to demonstrate genetic and phenotypic distinctiveness to closely related varieties, “BRAVO” is compared to its mother and to other agronomically important varieties. “Zeus” (non-patented) is the parent of “BRAVO” and therefore similarities would be expected. The primary differences between the new “BRAVO” variety and “Zeus” is the complete resistance of “BRAVO” to the powdery mildew strains found in the Yakima Valley and improved storage stability of alpha acids as compared to “Zeus”. Also, “BRAVO” mostly exhibits main bine leaves with three lobes as opposed to Zeus main bine leaves that are mostly five lobed. Similarities include similar cone shape and weight of 220-280 mg. at maturity, mature main bine of green coloration with violet stripes, and both varieties having excellent yields (>3000 lbs./ac). Chemical similarities show that both have alpha-acid levels of 16-18% and a humulene/caryophyllene ratio of 1.7
The detailed botanical description and drawings herein below allow distinction of the variety from related varieties. For illustration, comparisons of select distinguishing traits to further selected commercial varieties are set forth in Table 1.
The accompanying photographs illustrate the cones, leaves and growth habit of the new “BRAVO” variety:
This description provides information on agronomic, morphological, chemical and processing characteristics of the new variety that are used in distinction and identification of a new hop variety and its parts and products by practitioners of the industries that use hops as described herein above.
General information on the botanical characteristics and cultural aspects of hop plants as they relate to agronomics, breeding and food use are particularly well discussed in the prior art, especially, U.S. Plant Pat. Nos. 10,956 and 13,132 and the literature; “Steiner's Guide to American Hops Book III”, 1986; “Hops” Published by Chapman and Hall, 1991. Detailed botanical information below of the present variety is directly comparable to the prior art, as contained by reference herein.
Following is a detailed description of the botanical and analytical chemical characteristics of the new variety. The information for this botanical description was either collected or verified during the growing seasons of 2002 through 2005 in the growing areas north of Prosser, Wash. and south of Sunnyside, Wash. Botanical characteristics, and to a lesser degree the analytical characteristics are somewhat dependent on cultural practices and climatic conditions and can vary with location or year.
This new hop variety “BRAVO” can be distinguished from all other USA commercial varieties by its resistance to powdery mildew in combination with a high percentage of alpha-acids, excellent yield, and late harvestability while maintaining excellent cone quality, allowing harvest until late September to early October.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20060218683 P1 | Sep 2006 | US |
