Relationship Between Dynamics of Plant Biometric Parameters and Leaf Area Index of Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) Plants

Researchers found that the leaf area of hop plants (Humulus lupulus L.) in Žatec, Czech Republic, reached comparable levels to maize or sorghum under organic farming conditions. The study, conducted over three years on the Premiant variety, identified a 'breaking point' (BP) between 181–195 days of the year when bine and lateral leaf areas converged. Leaf area measurements using infrared imaging and gravimetric methods showed strong correlation (r = 0.93–0.96), with total plant leaf areas ranging from 6.65 to 12.04 m², translating to a Leaf Area Index (LAI) of 2.2–4.0 at harvest. The study also established regression models linking dry biomass to leaf area dynamics and analyzed mass proportions of key plant organs.

Brant, V., Krofta, K., Zábranský, P., Hamouz, P., Procházka, P., Dreksler, J., Kroulík, M., & Fritschová, G. (2025). Relationship Between Dynamics of Plant Biometric Parameters and Leaf Area Index of Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) Plants. Agronomy, 15(4), 823. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040823