Investigating cultural management practices for emerging hops pests and their impact on crop yield and quality

Lead Applicant: Rene Van Acker

Research Priority: Plant Health & Protection

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2024/2025

Research Centre: Ontario Crops Research Centre - Simcoe

Research Summary: Several emerging pests threaten hop production in Ontario and eastern North America, including halo blight and flea beetles. Cultural management strategies have been proposed for these pests; however, their impact on crop yield and quality is unknown. This project will evaluate the following cultural practices and their impact on pest levels and resulting yield and quality parameters: spring pruning, leaf stripping, harvest timing, fertility timing and susceptibility of new cultivars. The outcomes of this project will provide more economical cultural pest management strategies for Ontario hop growers, which will reduce the reliance on pesticide use.