Lighting supplementation in hop cultivation in a subtropical climate region

The objective of this work was to evaluate the use of artificial lighting on the vegeto-productive and qualitative characteristics of hop (Humulus lupulus) cultivation. The experiment was conducted at the Ambev Santa Catarina Experimental Farm using a randomized complete block design with four replicates in a split-plot scheme, with and without light supplementation through LEDs with blue spectral peaks at 420 nm and red at 600-620 nm. The production cycle of the cultivars Cascade and Chinook took place from August 2021 to April 2022, in two harvest seasons. The following variables were evaluated: photosynthetically active radiation, chlorophyll index, leaf area, productive height, mean cone length and width, total dry cone mass, cone index per centimeter of branch, yield per hectare and linear meter, as well as α-acid, β-acid, and essential oil content. Data were analyzed using Principal Component Analysis. Light supplementation increased leaf area, nighttime light interception, and photosynthetic efficiency. In the Chinook cultivar, it promoted higher yields, greater α-acid content, and essential oil yield. The Cascade cultivar had better cone structure in the first harvest season. Light supplementation intensifies biosynthesis of key chemical compounds, positively regulating metabolic pathways. Supplemental lighting is an effective strategy to expand hop cultivation in subtropical regions, with gains in yield, chemical quality, and feasibility of year-round harvests.