INFLUENCE OF TRICKLE IRRIGATION ON THE YIELD STABILITY AND QUALITY OFHOPS IN ZATEC HOP REGION

Long-term field trial with trickle irrigation was established in an ex perimental hop-garden at the Hop Research Institute in Zatec. Higher p roductivity of hops was proved statistically. Yield of dry hops was hi gher on the average by 40% during five year observation. Qualitative c haracteristics of Czech fine aromatic hops were preserved. Irrigation water is delivered to hop plants from an in-line system which is place d on the ceiling of the hop-garden. Its microclimate is influenced fav ourably and acts as a thermo-regulatory factor. Physiological and bioc hemical processes in hop plants are favourably influenced as well. It was found that temperature inside a hop-garden, which is treated by tr ickle irrigation, is lower on the average by 4 degrees C. This phenome non is important at first in the time when temperatures during a day a re very high.