Researchers at Embrapa in the Serrana Fluminense Region have found that hops can benefit from the action of bacteria and fungi found in nature, leading to a 52% increase in biomass in the aerial part of the plant. The study, part of the multi-institutional Rede Lúpulo project, also found a 50% increase in relation to commercial substrates. The research aims to develop technologies and information for the production and market of high-quality hops, including a protocol for selecting and classifying hop flowers based on color criteria, and a protocol for dehydration to increase shelf life.