Is there potential for hops production in an indoor system using LED lighting?

Abstract

Hops production largely depends on daylength shortening for proper flowering. Innovative systems like indoor cultivation with LED lighting allow a precise control of photoperiod regardless of season. However, such systems are still under development for most crops and there isn’t a solid framework on which indoor hops cultivation can be referred to. The aim of this study is to provide a descriptive report on how hops plants can develop and flower in an indoor system. A growth chamber was designed to accommodate hops plants, providing lighting and two training methods: parallel and spiral. Within 90 days of vegetative growth the plants had substantially developed and photoperiod was reduced from 16 to 10 h. Flowering began 6 days after photoperiod shortening. Spiral training can provide a more ergonomic usage of vertical space, allowing hops plants to better develop length-wise. Although structural adjustments and further research are still needed, there is potential for hops production in an indoor system using LED lighting.