Hop plant named ‘Greenmont Mother’

Genus and species:

Latin name:L.

Variety denomination:

Varietal denomination: ‘Greenmont Mother’.

The present disclosure describes a new and distinct hop variety, botanically known asL. and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘Greenmont Mother’. ‘Greenmont Mother’ is a selection from a controlled cross of the hop female parent ‘Stony Point’ (not patented) and the male parent ‘Greenmont Male Wild’ (not patented).

A main vine (“bine”) consists of a single flexible cylinder that produces pairs of leaves at nodes separated by variable distances along the length of the bine. The length of main bine between a pair of nodes is known as an internode. A bud is produced in the junction between leaf and bine, which junction is also known by the botanical term axil. Such a botanical term, as well as other botanical terms herein, are generally known to those of skill in the art and can also be found in standard botanical texts such as Simon, E. W., et al., Lawson's Textbook of Botany—Revised, University Tutorial Press Ltd., London, England, 14th Ed. 1966. The bud grows and develops into a lateral, also known as a side-shoot or side-arm, with the same basic vegetative structure as the main bine. The buds on the laterals develop into groups of flowers that later mature into cones (strobiles). Because the laterals produce and support the cones of the hop, the structure of the laterals strongly influences the number of cones produced and hence the ultimate commercial yield of a variety.

The cones are the useful brewing commodity and are referred to as “hops” in the commercial industry. Each cone is a group of flowers (inflorescence) consisting of sepals and petals (bracts and bracteoles) mounted on a central strig (or rachis). The resultant structure resembles a small pinecone or fir cone but is non-woody and green in color. In nature, the bracteoles support the seed of the plant. Hops contribute towards the bitterness and aroma in beer as well as foam quality, flavor, and taste stability. Various hop varieties have various special uses in the beer brewing industry. Aroma hops are used to impart flavors by virtue of the distinct profiles of their essential oils and terpene alcohols, among other compounds, as well as to supply bitter flavors based on specific contents of bitter acids, namely, terpenophenolics, mostly humulones. Examples of aroma hops are the cultivars known as variety ‘Willamette’ (non-patented), variety ‘Centennial’ (non-patented), variety ‘Sterling’ non-patented), variety ‘Cascade’ (non-patented), and variety ‘Glacier’ (non-patented). Many aroma varieties are susceptible to fungal pathogens, in particular powdery mildew, and otherwise exhibit less than ideal agronomic traits.

Complete descriptions of the botanical structure of the hop plant are given in Burgess, “Hops—Botany, Cultivation and Utilization,” Weed Crop Series, Interscience Publishers, Inc., New York, 1964 and Neve, “Hops,” von Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1991.

A trellis of poles and wire, commonly 18 feet (5.4864 meters) height and known as a “high trellis,” supports strings that the main bines climb. The main bines grow to the top of the trellis, where they produce the laterals that support the groups of flowers that develop into the cones. Typically, the laterals bear cones only in the upper parts of the plant (i.e., closer to the main bine); the distance from the main bine varies from one variety to another. When the cones are physiologically mature (ripe), the cones are harvested, then dried and compressed into bales for market, where the cones are typically used for the production of beverages such as beers, ales and related alcohol-containing liquids.

Different varieties of hops have differences in the chemical constituents of the lupulin of their cones. Accordingly, chemical analysis of such differences can be useful in distinguishing one hop variety from another. Such analysis is generally performed by high pressure liquid chromatography (“HPLC”) of the soft resins along with gas liquid chromatography (“GLC”) of the essential oils. Recently, Kenny developed a key for differentiation of hop varieties based on chemical analysis of the soft resins. (Kenny, “Identification of U.S. Grown Hop Cultivars by Hop Acid and Essential Oil Analyses,” J. Amer. Soc. Brewing Chemists 48(1): 3-8, 1990.) Further, Peacock and McCarty, as well as Kenny, have developed keys for the differentiation of hop varieties based on chemical analysis of the essential oils. (Peacock and McCarty, “Varietal Identification of Hops and Hop Pellets,” Master Brewer Assoc. of the Americas Technical Quarterly 27:81-85, 1992; Kenny, supra.) These keys are based on gross differences in the amounts of, and ratios between, major constituents, which differences are large enough to overcome variation inherent in the analytical analysis of biological material.

The following are the outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new variety when grown under normal horticultural practices in Keene, Virginia (VA).

The hop plant described and claimed herein is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the plant's overall plant shape, leaf shape and cone shape.are of a five-year-old plant and parts thereof, grown in Keene, Virginia, USA in August 2023 whileis also of a five-year-old plant grown in Keene, Virginia, USA taken in June 2023.is of a six-year-old plant in July 2024, grown in Keene, Virginia. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

The present disclosure provides a new variety of hop (L.), which has been named ‘Greenmont Mother’. The new variety comprises the ‘Greenmont Mother’ hop plant which is distinguished from other varieties of hop plant by its smaller and lighter-colored leaves, lower relative alpha and beta acidity and aromatic properties. Greenmont Mother is particularly suited for the production of beverages such as beers, ales and related alcohol-containing liquids.

The present disclosure provides a new variety of hop (L.), which has been named ‘Greenmont Mother’. The new variety comprises the ‘Greenmont Mother’ hop plant and is distinguished from other varieties of hop plant by its smaller and lighter-colored leaves, a lower percentage of alpha-acids, powdery mildew resistance, downy mildew tolerance, which are significant improvements in agronomic traits, and a distinctly herbal/tea-like aroma.

The following detailed description of the ‘Greenmont Mother’ cultivar is based on observations of various 2-4-year-old plants, first propagation generation, growing on a hop farm in Keene, Virginia, USA between 2017 and 2018. The new variety of hops has been asexually propagated by vegetative cuttings or rhizomes. and the distinctive characteristics of the new variety have proven to be stable and are reproduced true-to-type in successive generations. The original ‘Greenmont Male Wild’ plant has been observed growing in an area near Keene, Virginia, USA.

The new cultivar has not been evaluated under all possible environmental conditions but was grown and developed for Keene, Virginia, USA, (USDA hardiness zone 7A, approximate GPS Coordinates: 37° 53′15.6″N 78° 34′55.5″W). Certain characteristics of this cultivar such as growth, color, and cone chemical composition may vary with different grower practices and changing environmental conditions (e.g., light, temperature, moisture, nutrient availability, or other factors).

‘Greenmont Mother’ has less compact internodes than ‘Stony Point’ and has denser lupulin glands and a faster growth rate than ‘Greenmont Male Wild’.

The associated botanical description below is based on observations made of the varietal in Keene, VA in May, June, July, August, September and October of 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All colors are described according to the 4edition of The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart. Certain characteristics and descriptions may vary somewhat depending on cultural and environmental conditions and could vary season to season. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average of measurements taken from individual sample plants. Measurements of any individual or group of plants of the new variety may vary from the stated measurements.

In the 2024 growing season, we did not spray for pests or fungus on ‘Greenmont Mother’. That is the only variety that didn't require intervention. All of the other hop varieties we grow—‘Crystal’, ‘Cascade’, ‘Chinook’ and ‘Newport’—had to be sprayed with fungicides every 7-10 days.

We begin applying fungicide in early March each year, including 2024. The first application is a drench application through drip irrigation to target the roots, then we use aerial spray maintaining the 7-10 day schedule until one month before harvest.

Pesticides are applied through aerial spray as needed, with the guideline that pest colonization numbers need to meet a threshold before it is viable to spray. We stop spraying pesticides a month before harvest.

Harvest dates vary based on variety, beginning as early as the first week of July through the last week of August. ‘Greenmont Mother’ does not harvest until September.

‘Greenmont Mother’ has the unique capability to suppress the infection of downy and powdery mildew in comparison to other varieties. Cultivated varieties like ‘Cascade’ and ‘Chinook’ that show visible stunted growth require scheduled fungicide applications in order to suppress the infection while no fungicide is required for ‘Greenmont Mother’. Other varieties that are infected may flare due to environmental conditions. Observations throughout the years determined that ‘Greenmont Mother’ has more adaptability to the environment than other varieties cultivated in the same conditions.

Below are the products and quantities used on our ‘Crystal’, ‘Cascade’, ‘Chinook’ and ‘Newport’ hop varieties grown in the same fields as ‘Greenmont Mother’.

Fungicides:

‘Greenmont Mother’ required no fungicides or pesticides, only irrigation. This is typical for the variety.

Table 1 lists the total amount of alpha and beta acids, the ratio of alpha acids to beta acids, and estimates of the relative proportions of cohumulone and colupulone for ‘Greenmont Mother’. This data was determined by HPLC analysis according to standard methods well known to those having skill in the art. (See, e.g., American Society of Brewing Chemists, “Hops Method 12: Analysis of Hops, Hop Powders and Hop Pellets by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography,” in “Methods of Analysis,” The Society, St. Paul, Mn., 8th ed. 1991.) Toluene extraction for total oil and hops storage index using methods known in the art. The data are expressed as ranging to account for inherent biological variation from sample to sample. Generally—the data provided here is based on the cones having a moisture content of between 10 and 12%.

Detailed analysis of the essential oils allows a further differentiation of ‘Greenmont Mother’ from other hops. Table 2 further distinguishes some of the varieties discussed.

Extraction and analysis of essential oils are performed illustratively using toluene extraction according to methods well known to those having skill in the art. (See for example, Hesham H. A. Rassem, Abdurahman H. Nour, Rosli M. Yunus., Techniques For Extraction of Essential Oils From Plants: A Review. Aust. J. Basic & Appl. Sci., 10(16): 117-127, 2016.) Preferably the essential oils are extracted by steam distilling previously dried hops for about four hours (with the steam of the distillation condensed using a cold-finger condenser). The resultant essential oils are then examined by Gas Liquid Chromatography (GLC) analysis.

Flavor of ‘Greenmont Mother’ is consistent with green or oolong teas and fruits such as persimmon.

Although the early season growth rate and length of time for the hop bines to reach the top wire of a trellis vary widely due to factors such as climatic conditions and growth and harvest management, the early season growth of ‘Greenmont Mother’ is generally faster than other commercial varieties such as ‘Cascade’ and ‘Chinook’ and regularly climb to the top of an 18 foot (5.486 meters) trellis. Other common varieties do not exhibit the same heartiness of growth when cultivated in Central Virginia. ‘Greenmont Mother’ hop plants produce strong nodal sidearm growth in upwards of 24-36 inches (60.96 cm to 91.44 cm). ‘Greenmont Mother’ is a late-maturing hop.

‘Greenmont Mother’ is a distinct variety of hop. The ‘Greenmont Mother’ hop plant is distinguished from other varieties of hop plant by its smaller and lighter-colored leaves, lower relative alpha and beta acidity and aromatic properties.

The cones, once ready for harvest, are tightly packed and average 1.5 inches in length. The cones exhibit an aroma consistent with green or oolong teas and fruits such as persimmon. Picking dates for ‘Greenmont Mother’ hop plants are usually late September into early October. Yields per acre are currently unknown but early cultivation has shown stronger yields than several other commercially-available varietals.

‘Greenmont Mother’ is distinguished from the commercial hop variety ‘Tettnang’, ‘Hallertau Mittelfreuh’ and ‘UK Golding’ with differences between the four varieties described in Table 2:

Genomic DNA was extracted from tissue samples. Sequencing libraries were prepared and sequenced on an Illumina NovaSeq S4 sequencing platform. Reads were mapped to thereference genome (drHumLupu1.1, NCBI RefSeq assembly GCF_963169125.1).1 using BWA-MEM.2 Variants were called with FreeBayes.3 Coverage statistics were calculated using samtools.4 MultiQC was used to summarize results.5

The table below shows sequencing results forL. ‘Greenmont Mother’. After sequencing over 300 million sequencing reads, there were over 5 million distinct genetic differences, including over 150,000 insertions and deletions (indels) and over 5 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

In conclusion, the sequencing data presented in this report supports the identification ofL. ‘Greenmont Mother’ as a genetically distinct hop variety. With over 300 million sequencing reads mapped to thereference genome, the high coverage and the large number of identified variants, including over 5 million SNPs and over 150,000 indels, provide compelling evidence of the unique genetic makeup of this variety. These genetic differences set ‘Greenmont Mother’ apart from other hop varieties, reinforcing its novelty and distinctiveness. As such, this unique genetic profile aligns with the criteria for plant patent protection, making ‘Greenmont Mother’ a strong candidate for patent eligibility based on its distinct and documented genetic characteristics.