| Notes |
In 2016, the East Malling Research (EMR) station became part of NIAB (the National Institute of Agricultural Botany). It remains one of the world's most influential centers for horticultural research, particularly regarding fruit and hops.
East Malling is legendary for several reasons:
The "Wye" Connection: While hop breeding was famously centered at Wye College, East Malling provided the essential laboratory support and research into hop diseases (like Verticillium wilt). When Wye’s hop program closed in 2007, East Malling took over the responsibility of maintaining the national hop collection and breeding programs.
The "Target" and "Challenger" Era: Much of the breeding work that led to classic British hops like Target, Challenger, and Progress involved researchers and field trials linked to the East Malling site.
Disease Resistance: They were (and still are) the "front line" for protecting European hops from soil-borne diseases. |