Osvald's legacy
Doc. ing. Lubomír Vent, CSc.
On the occasion of a hundred year birth anniversary of a founder of hop research, Doc. dr. ing. Karel Osvald, on 19th September 1999, it would be very useful to remind ourselves of his activities, which laid not only solid grounds for Czech hop research but also provided incentives for further work in this area of our agriculture industry.
During his activity in the field of hop research within 1927 and 1948 Osvald successfully solved many scientific and practical problems. The breeding of more yielding and quality varieties of hops - Osvalďs clones belongs among his most significant results.
The principle aim of his breeding work was an effort to cultivate more production of quality hops in a smaller area. Within 1927 and 1928 he selected from the population of regional varieties of Saaz hops 276 base plants showing better all-round performance in comparison with the initial material. The selection was made on the fields of prominent growers in following production villages: Solopysky - J. Sachl, Domoušice - L. Osvald, J. Seifert, E. Halaš, I. Chládek, Hřivice - V. Lapka, Louny - I. Hiekl, Slale hop research facility Deštnice and agriculture school in Rakovník.
We could find detailed description of used methods of individual positive selection, working processes and project of this breeding work in K. Osvalďs paper "Analytical study of Saaz hops" dating 1929. Further detailed results can be found in Osvalďs paper "Study of hop genetics" published in 1944. The above mentioned study was based on the extended genetical analysis of Saaz hops. In addition to a description of a selection method of genetical mutation and following clone propagation of chosen plants vegetatively the author also paid attention to possibilities of use of genetical cross-breeding to acquire new hop varieties.
In 1930 dr. Ctibor Blattny, the head of Stale agriculture research institutes in Prague - Dejvice, provided him with 300 pieces of seedlings, of which Osvald acquired 180 pieces of female plants. For further research Osvald chose 70 plants that had a very good yield but their quality especially aroma was unsatisfactory. This material was however after relocating from Deštnice to Rakovník, destroyed as a result of WW II.
Results of clone selection were however very successful. Therefore testing of chosen series began in 1929. After observing this material 17 clones were chosen for further observation in 1935. In the scope of observation of red-bine hops the best results were achieved by clone 114 b, whose yield was 29% higher. The whole test clone series gave yields better then other plants of control series by 67%.
After tests of yields of chosen clones in Deštnice and Rakovník following order was made: no. 114, 124, 126, 72, 31, 21, 147 and 55. It is necessary to make a note that clones 124 and 126 originated from English variety Fuggle and it is green-bine hops. 8ased on these results Osvald chose clone 114 b for practical cultivation (Note: 114 a comes from the first plantings and 144 b from the second plantings of the base plant). Clones no. 31 and 72 were chosen by prominent hop growers themselves. V. Lapka of Hřivice began propagation of clone no. 31 at hop-yard called "The Queen" by its for that time record yield of 1,3 t and V. Vajc of Třeboc chose clone no. 72 for further propagation. Propagation of clone no. 114 was started by F. Škutchan of Úlovice, who however had clone no. 126 mixed in propagation. These plants after a following positive selection became the base of maintenance breeding of this universally efficient green-bine hops placed at test farm of Hop research and breeding institute in Steknik.
The clones were classified according to the time of harvest as follows: early - clone 114, semi-early - clone 31 and 72, semi-late - clone 126. It is a pity that during the intense so called "variety racism" in 1950's and 1960's all plants of clone 126 were by an official decision destroyed. The clone 126 was due to its high yield, satisfactory quality and late ripeness suitable follow-up to registered Osvalď clones.
In addition to breeding Osvald also solved many actual cultivation tasks. In 1941 he published results of studies that focused on the observation of the development of cone ripeness during the harvest time. It indicated that one week difference in cutting of hops can result in one to three day delay in cone ripeness. At the same time it was found that hops harvested in the middle of harvest have the highest brewing value.
Results acquired through studies of moisture content in dried and in prepared hops published in 1935 have a considerable practical significance. These studies were closely connected to publishing of the Czechoslovakia food codex. Following parameters of moisture content in hops were determined: hop bales - 13%, ballots - 12%. Following simple test was recommended to determine the moisture content: a) dry hops -pedicel breaks, b) normal moisture content - spindle bends, cone does not break, c) moist hops -pedicel and spindle do not break, after pressing in fist cones stay in bundles and take original form, d) artificially moistened hops -moist on touch, but pedicel and spindle are dry, they get moisten later, At the same time Osvald warns of harmful effects of drying hops at higher temperatures in which hop tannins evaporate and resins are damaged resulting in lupulin becoming brown. Furthermore it was proven that hops on piles after drying absorbs within 48 hours certain level of humidity from the air, that later does not change.
The importance and the extent of Doc. dr. ing. K. Osvalď work, and especially results of his activities prompt us always to revert to his work, to find a guidance and suggestions whose implementation will contribute to hop research as well as the hop growing.
