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2026 Vol.39, Issue 5 Preview Page

Research Article

Hops (Humulus lupulus L.): Botanical Characteristics, Cultivation, Research, and Industrial Utilization in Korea and Worldwide

홉(Humulus lupulus L.)의 식물학적 특징과 국내외 재배, 연구 및 활용 현황

Si-Yong Kang12
,
So Young Yi2
강 시용12
,
이 소영2
1Professor, Department of Horticulture, Kongju National University, Yesan 32439, Korea
2Research Professor, Research Center of Crop Breeding for Omics and Artificial Intelligence, Kongju National University, Yesan 32439, Korea
1국립공주대학교 산업과학대학 원예학과 교수
2국립공주대학교 작물오믹스지능육종연구센터, 연구교수
*Corresponding Author
1 October 2026. pp. 338-354
PDF XML Citation
Abstract

Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) is an economically important industrial crop and an essential brewing raw material contributing to the bitterness and aroma of beer. Its utilization has expanded beyond brewing because of its diverse bioactive compounds and potential applications in green-bio industries. This review summarizes the origin, taxonomy, botanical and cultivation characteristics, global production and industrial trends, breeding and genomic research, and bioactive compounds of hop, current status, and prospects of hop production and research in Korea and in the world. Hop contains bitter acids, prenylated flavonoids, essential oils, and polyphenols with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities. Recent advances in genomic and transcriptomic technologies have enhanced genetic diversity analysis, molecular marker development, genomic-assisted breeding, and understanding of biosynthetic pathways. Climate change has increased the need for heat- and drought-tolerant cultivars, precision agriculture, and stable cultivation technologies. Revitalization of the Korean hop industry will require integrated approaches involving environment-adapted breeding, smart cultivation and processing, high-value utilization of bioactive compounds, and circular use of spent hops.

Keywords
Bioactive compounds
Cultivar breeding
Cultivation
Genomic research
Hop
Humulus lupulus L.
Korean hop industry
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Information
  • Publisher :The Plant Resources Society of Korea
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국자원식물학회
  • Journal Title :Korean Journal of Plant Resources
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국자원식물학회지
  • Volume : 39
  • No :5
  • Pages :338-354
  • Received Date : 2026-07-29
  • Revised Date : 2026-08-20
  • Accepted Date : 2026-09-01
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7732/kjpr.2026.39.5.338
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