The interest in the production of hops in Brazil, motivated by the third position in the world ranking of beer producers and the growth of the craft brewery business, justifies the intensification of studies into its adaptation to local growing conditions. Due to the high internal demand, the aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical profiles of hop varieties grown in subtropical conditions under different cropping systems. Studies that promote the expansion of cultivation areas in distinct climate conditions and ensure quality are very important. A randomized block design was adopted with a 2 × 5 subdivided plot. The main factor was the cropping system (organic and conventional), and the secondary factor was the hop variety (Columbus, Chinook, Nugget, Cascade and Hallertau Mittelfrüeh), with four blocks and four plants per plot. The quality parameters monitored in this work were the contents of alpha and beta acids, and xanthohumol in the inflorescences of hops, as well as the relative composition of their essential oils. The variations in the chemical profiles of essential oils showed differences between some varieties, and the different compositions and levels resulting from the two cropping systems show that management and cultural practices can influence the aromatic characteristics of hops; in total, 23 compounds were found. The terpene fraction represented 79.67% of the oil in Hallertau and 93.63% in Cascade, with myrcene being the main compound. The levels of bitter acids and xanthohumol did not differ statistically as a function of the treatments. This study contributes the first records of the chemical profiles of hops grown in subtropical conditions in Brazil, in general, the Nugget variety had the highest qualitative potential

Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) is a crucial ingredient in beer, valued for its bitter acids and essential oils. Traditionally cultivated in temperate regions, hop production faces challenges from climate change, necessitating the exploration of new growing areas. This study evaluated the chemical quality of hop varieties grown in Brazil’s subtropical conditions to assess their suitability for brewing. Seven hop varieties (Cascade, Centennial, Columbus, Chinook, Comet, Fuggle, and Nugget) were analyzed for total α- and β-acids and essential oil composition. Bitter acids were quantified by spectrophotometric analysis, and volatile compounds were identified using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Comet exhibited the highest a-acid level (10.54%), indicating strong bittering potential. Essential oil analysis revealed β-myrcene, (E)-caryophyllene, and α-humulene as predominant compounds. Centennial showed a distinct (E)-β-farnesene profile, a characteristic of noble hops. All varieties contained α- and β-selinene, suggesting a common metabolic pattern. The results indicate that Brazil has the potential to produce high-quality hops with suitable chemical profiles for brewing. As traditional hop-growing regions face climate-related challenges, hops cultivated in Brazil may offer a viable alternative for achieving the desired chemical composition required by the brewing industry.

The purpose of this study was to assess how ‘IAC 572’, ‘IAC 766’, and ‘Paulsen 1103’ rootstocks affected the duration of phenological phases, thermal demand, and chemical evolution throughout production cycle of the ‘BRS Vitória’ table grape cultivated in subtropical conditions. The duration of the following phenological stages was measured in days after pruning throughout two production seasons: budburst, flowering, setting, veraison, and harvest date. The thermal demand was determined using the degree-day concept. Titratable acidity, pH, soluble solids, and the maturation index were all measured throughout berry maturation. In general, the rootstocks ‘IAC 572’ and ‘IAC 766’ increased vine precocity in comparison to ‘Paulsen 1103’ during the early phenological phases. However, the vines grafted on ‘Paulsen 1103’ were earlier in the later phases, that is, at the veraison and at the harvest date, when compared to those grafted on the rootstocks ‘IAC 572’ and ‘IAC 766’. Under subtropical conditions, the total cycle period of the ‘BRS Vitória’ vine varied from 131 to 143 days, with thermal demands ranging from 1,545 to 1,725 DD. In comparison to the ‘IAC 572’ and the ‘IAC 766’, the ‘Paulsen 1103’ supplied the berries with a higher accumulation of soluble solids and a higher maturation index.

Hop is a multifunctional specie; however, a large part of its production is destined for the beer market. In Brazil, all hop demand is imported, which has aroused interest in national production. Genetic material and cultivation systems can influence hops production. Thus, this study evaluated morphological and productive performance of hop varieties grown under organic and conventional management in the central-west region of São Paulo, Brazil. The hop yard was installed in the experimental area of the FCA/UNESP (São Paulo State University, School of Agriculture) - Botucatu, in November 2018, the data were collected in second year of production. A randomized block design was adopted, in 2 x 5 Split-Plot, being the main factor: cultivation systems (organic and conventional), and secondary factor: hop varieties (Columbus, Chinook, Nugget, Cascade, and HallertauMittelfrüeh), with four blocks and four plants per plot. Crop-specific morphological and productive parameters were evaluated. The results showed no significant influence of cultivation systems in morphological parameters. Regarding the varieties, Chinook, Cascade, and Nugget stand out for cone length. Columbus, Chinook and Cascade showed higher yields when grown in organic system, obtaining 1100.66, 1088.27 and 940.40 g of cones per plant, respectively. While, HallertauMittelfrüeh variety was the least productive in both systems, in organic system with 160.50 g per plant production, and 267.84 g per plant in conventional system, and, also showing lower cycle compared to the others.

‘BRS Vitória’ is the leading seedless table grape cultivar in tropical regions of Brazil, but there is a lack of information regarding suitable rootstocks for subtropical cultivation. This study aimed to evaluate the productive performance and nutrient cycling of ‘BRS Vitória’ grapevines grafted onto rootstocks ‘IAC 572’, ‘IAC 766’, and ‘1103P’ under subtropical climate conditions. Crop yield, nutrient content, and weight of shoots and bunches were assessed over two growing seasons, along with nutrient removal via pruning and harvest and nutrient utilization efficiency. The ‘IAC 572’ rootstock promoted greater shoot biomass accumulation and crop yield compared to ‘IAC 766’ and ‘1103P’. Both nutrient content and nutrient accumulation were also higher in grapevines grafted onto the ‘IAC 572’ rootstock. Nevertheless, the amount of nutrients transported to the bunch was comparatively lower than in ‘IAC 766’ and ‘1103P’. Given its superior productivity, nutrient accumulation capacity, and nutrient utilization efficiency, the ‘IAC 572’ rootstock is more suitable for ‘BRS Vitória’ grapevines in subtropical regions.

This study evaluated the agronomic performance and phytochemical stability of the ‘Comet’ hop (Humulus lupulus L.) under contrasting photoperiod management regimes (with and without supplemental lighting) in subtropical conditions over two consecutive crop cycles (2024–2025). The experiment, conducted at the School of Agricultural Sciences (FCA/UNESP, Botucatu, Brazil), followed a split-plot factorial design with ten replications. Supplemental lighting (50 W, 6500 K LED floodlights) extended the photoperiod to 17 h during the vegetative stage. Morphometric, phenological, and phytochemical parameters were analyzed, including α- and β-acid contents and essential oil composition by GC–MS and GC-FID. Supplemental lighting significantly increased plant height (590.9 cm), number of lateral branches (70.1), cone length (3.49 cm), and dry cone mass (374.6 g plant⁻¹) while reducing the insertion height of the first cone (99.0 cm). α-Acid content increased from 9.35% to 11.92%, and essential oil content from 1.34% to 1.90%, while β-acid levels showed no significant variation. Chemical analysis identified 31 compounds, predominantly β-myrcene (65–74%) and sesquiterpenes such as (E)-caryophyllene, α-selinene, and β-selinene, exhibiting remarkable compositional stability across years and treatments. Photoperiod extension delayed floral induction, promoted biomass accumulation, and increased cone yield without altering the characteristic herbaceous–resinous aromatic profile. These findings validate supplemental lighting as a decisive strategy to optimize hop production in subtropical regions, ensuring phenological regularity, higher yield, and consistent chemical quality, thereby strengthening the viability of domestic hop cultivation in Brazil.