Hop Shoots Farming in India: A Guide for Beginners

We know green vegetables like Brinjal, Cauliflower, and Ladyfinger. Cucumber, Pumpkin, etc. but today I will talk about a rare vegetable “Hop shoots”. This vegetable is costly and produced in Western countries. There are several benefits of this vegetable. These vegetables are mostly used in making bears, and medicine for the disease’s tuberculosis, cancer teeth pain, etc.

Hop shoots are typically known as Hops, similar to the hemp family Cannabaceae. It is an everlasting climbing plant. It is mostly found in West Asia, Europe, and North America. The cultivation of Hops starts in early spring and its harvesting in cold-hardy rhizome in autumn. The specialty of this plant is that it is separated into two parts, male and female plants. The shape of flower of a female plant is cone-shaped which is known as Hops, it is mostly used to enhance the flavor of beer. Hop shoot plant is mainly cultivated for the brewing industry.

The size of a Hop shoots plant is generally 8 to 10 meters long and the lifespan is 20 years.  The fruit of Hops shoots is usually dry and it does not split before maturity. The plants of Hops shoots die in winter and grow in March until the cultivation area is not ready. Furthermore, this process continues for 20 years. In the initial stage, the color of Hop shoots is dark purple, but later on, it turns into green color. Hop Shoots can grow up to 6 inches in a day. The Hop shoots vegetables are rich in nutrients. The female plants produce flowers which are called ‘Burr’ from which the cones grow and it is harvested in the month of September.

What is the importance of the Hop shoots plant?

Hop shoots are renowned for their special traits, advantages, and high nutrient content. It has therapeutic qualities for patients as well as antimicrobial qualities. The fruit, flower, and stem of hop shoots are used for many therapeutic applications, as well as for the production of beverages like beer and antibiotics. Hops cones are also known as strobile, which are flowers of the Hops. Expect beverage use hops are also used for the use of tuberculosis therapy (TB). Hop shoots are also essential for the treatment of cancer. There are two types of hop acid lupulin and humulones, which are typically used for the treatment of Leukemia (a type of blood cancer)

The medicine helps the patients with digestion, provides relaxation for those suffering from depression or anxiety, and treats sleeplessness. The medication acts as an analgesic, relieves insomnia, enhances digestion, and encourages calm in those with anxiety or depression. Hop shoots are high in antioxidants, and it is mostly used in European countries to keep skin soft, glowing, and natural. Antioxidants found in hop shoots help cleanse and brighten skin.

Why are hop shoots so costly in India?

Before being harvested, Hop shoot plants need three years to reach full maturity. However, the plant is thought to be a backbreaking crop and comes with high labor costs. The farmers had to make extra effort to crouch down and locate these minuscule green tendrils, which sprout at random. As a result, it takes longer and costs more labor.

Furthermore, to keep safe organic Hop seed plantation process safe, the farmers spend lots of money and also special attention on it. Along with this, it needs a better climatic condition to flourish. As we know, different types of yield need a different climate for the proper growth of the plant. There are situations when the climate is not suitable for growing that specific crop, which results in a lack of plant cultivation and a rise in the price of hop shoot seeds in India.

Moreover, a plethora of research has demonstrated the medical, pharmacological, nutritional, and overall health advantages of Hop shoot. Hop shoots become more in demand as a result, driving up their price in India. Every component of the plant, including the stem, fruit, and flowers, has a variety of uses such as stabilizing elements to counteract the beer’s sweetness. The stalks of the Hop shoot plants are used for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB).

Hop shoots are used by climbers due to high antioxidants, the Europeans also use them in the form of herbs to protect their skin from the cold. Europe is also known for its high production of antibiotics. Hop acids, which are derived from the Hop plant and include humulones and lupulones, are used to cure leukemia and prevent bone injury. It has calming properties and is used to treat anxiety, sadness, and sleeplessness. As a result, a plant with numerous applications and advantages can significantly raise the cost.

8 Things to Consider Before Planting Hop Shoots

1. Cultivation: The growth of Hop shoots is ideal between 3o and 50-degree latitudes in the north and south equator. Furthermore, the plant needs cold winter temperatures to get ready for spring regrowth. Certain climatic conditions are necessary for the growth, and quality of cones in Hop shoot plants. For the proper growth of Hop Shoot, it is necessary, cool weather in the spring warm weather during the dormant season, and dry weather during harvest. Additionally, the timing and quantity of rainfall have a huge impact on the development and productivity of plants.

2. Soil: Hop shoots can be easily produced in various types of soil such: as clay and sand. Despite having deep and long roots, the majority of the eatable roots of these plants are located on the outer surface of the soil. Water must be available to Hop shoots continuously during the growing season. Hop shoot plants grow well in deep, light-textured soil that is not prone to flooding. Furthermore, because soil pH influences plant nutrition availability, it must be maintained. The ideal pH range for the growth is 6-7.

3. Propagation: Vegetative or asexual means are used for propagation. Rhizomes and cuttings of stems and leaves are part of the vegetative production methods. The majority of new plants are produced by dormant rhizomes from the mature crown in the cooler months or by green cuttings from current season growth in the spring. Rhizomes are underground shoots that can be grown in pots or directly planted in the hop yard after being clipped from the crown and divided into parts. Even in protected environments like greenhouses, etc., this can grow. Furthermore, the most effective method for multiplying a lot of new plants during the growth season is to take green stem cuttings in the spring and early summer.

4. Planting: When the plot is workable and there is less chance of frost, Hop shoots are sown in the spring. Rhizomes can be used to grow them and are available from March to May. Until planting, rhizomes need to be kept in a cool, damp location. Furthermore, the size of the machinery used for tilling, mowing, and harvesting determines the distance between rows.  For commercial purposes, Hop Shoot producers use trellising methods.

5. Irrigation: High-value crops like Hop shoots depend on adequate water supplies for both productivity and quality. Water must be provided continuously to it during the growing season. Furthermore, several variables, including climate, the properties of the soil, and plant-specific traits, influence the quantity of additional irrigation that is needed. Plant stress brought on by dry conditions affects output, resulting in reduced yields or possibly plant mortality. Reduced energy of the plant, slow growth, withering leaves, etc. are signs of the scarcity of water in the plant. Because the roots of these plants are shallow, drip irrigation is most effective. Large plantations are also irrigated through the use of furrows and overhead systems.

6. Fertilization: Acidic soils inhibit the growth of hopshoots. To maintain the pH above 6.5, liming should be carried out by the guidelines. Apply the nitrogen by mid-June for the best effects. Hop cones are the primary users of potassium, which also helps leaves and vines grow. On the other hand, phosphorus (P) is not as essential as nitrogen (N) and potassium (K).

7. Harvesting: In spring, fresh hop shoots harvested from trousers are utilized as vegetables. If timely trimming is not done, hop plants spread out, sending runners underground and shoots that cover the entire area of the hop yard. Due to high sunlight, some hopshoot leaves remain white. After removing all of the early spring shoots, hop plants produce new shoots. After that, the leaves of Hop shoot get more and larger leaves, and it becomes greener. In addition, the fragile shoot tips are picked and eaten raw or cooked into salads or other cuisines.

8. Insect and Pest Management: The two most lasting pests and diseases that can easily harm hopshoot production are mildew inoculums and spider mites. Aphids, Japanese beetles, leafhoppers, and spider mites are the main insect pests in Hop yards. When the leaves of the plant are damaged, they develop stippling, or brown patches the size of pinpricks. The damson-Hop aphid also loves to feed on the phloem of Hop plants and grows in damp, cold areas. In the Hopyards, various Integrated Pest Management techniques will help to significantly lower the number of pests.

Different uses of hop shoots plants

Generally, Hops shoots the part of beverages including beer. Originally, they were utilized as a plant for medicine.  In every plant flavonoids and bitter acids are found which is a bioactive substance. These acids consist of antioxidant, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Some uses of Hops shoots are given below:

In medicine: For more than 2000 years, hop shoots have been used for medical purposes. Hops shoots were used by ancient doctors for the treatment of constipation, leprosy, foot odor, and blood purification. Additionally, it functions as a sedative in several medications that relieve sleeplessness and mental tension. Another expertise of Hop Shoots is estrogenic action in medicine.

As a vegetable: Europeans use hop shoots in their daily meal as a vegetable. Hop shoots’ antioxidant content maintains skin youthful and radiant. In addition, asparagus, or young Hop shoots, are traditionally plucked in the spring for culinary purposes. Along with the shoots, the leaves of hops are frequently used in salads. It’s simple to sauté the tender shoots in a little butter or olive oil, and the result is delicious. Selling the early hop shoots as vegetables can be profitable for the hop’s producers. As of right now, hop shoots are the most expensive among other vegetables.

As a fiber: The stems of Hop shoots are thrown in the field as garbage after collecting the cones due to restrictions. In addition, the stems of the Hop plant have an inner pith and an outer bark. The outer bark of the stem bears long fibers (10–15 cm). As a result, the final fibers exhibit a high cellulose crystal alignment to the fiber axis, a low crystallinity, and a good cellulose content. Because of this, the fiber can be used in the textile sector.

Production and Marketing of Hop Shoots: The USA is the largest producer of Hop shoots, which are currently operated in 15 countries. Hop shoots are predicted to expand at a CAGR of 4.5% in the global market between 2020 and 2025. The market of Hop Shoots will be impacted by Hop Shoot’s production and demand. Furthermore, if appropriate channels for marketing are offered, young Hop shoots marketed as vegetables might fetch a high price.