Discriminant and principal component analysis in the classification of hop (Humulus lupulus L.) cultivars

Abstract

Methods of multivariate analysis were applied to distinguish groups of hop cultivars and to classify individual cultivars from the Hop Gene Bank of the Institute of Hop Research and Brewing in Žalec. Seven cultivars were included in the study, two from the Fuggle group of hops, two from the Bohemian group and three unclassified cultivars, 'Osvald's clone 126', 'Saladin' and 'Polish clone 12'. Twenty nine variables were used, including morphological traits and the results of chemical analysis. On the basis of the results of discriminant analysis the three unclassified cultivars classified in the Fuggle group. Discriminant and principal component analysis were used to assess the important traits for distinguishing the two groups of cultivars. The results are presented in the paper. In the case of the three unclassified cultivars discriminant analysis can be sufficient for the solution of classification problem, although the results of principal component analysis are in accordance with previous findings.