An ecogeographical survey of wild hop populations was conducted in the northwest of Croatia in two consecutive years. A total of 121 plants was documented on eight locations. Along with the passport data, the data on three phenotypic traits (no. of leaflets, cone shape, aroma) were gathered during collection, while the content of α -acids in hop cones was determined by lead conductance. Shanon’ s information index was calculated for each phenotypic trait and used as a measure of intra- and interpopulation diversity. For all analyzed traits, most of the total phenotypic diversity was attributable to differences among plants within populations. The differences in proportions of individuals having a particular trait state between all pairs of populations in the case of leaflet number and cone shapes were non-significant. Four out of 28 pairwise comparisons for aroma were proven significant, indicating the existence of differences in proportions of individuals across populations recorded to have 'typical hoppy', 'fine hop' or 'rough' aroma. No significant differences were observed for alpha-acids content among populations. Plant exhibiting elongated cone shape had significantly higher alpha-acids content than those having oval or round cone shapes. Similarly, plants categorized as 'rough' aroma hop cones had the highest content of alpha-acids compared with those categorized as 'typical hoppy' or 'fine hop aroma' hop cones.

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