Abstract
Protein crops have gained increasing interest in recent years, as a transition towards plant-protein based diets appears pivotal to ensure global food security and preserve the environment. The Andean species Lupinus mutabilis emerges as an ideal protein crop with great potential for Europe and other regions with temperate climates. This species is characterized by oil and protein content similar to soybean and is highly valued for its adaptability to colder climates and low input agriculture on marginal land. However, its introduction outside the Andes has yet to take off. To date, L. mutabilis remains an under-studied crop, lacking high yield, early maturity and a consistent breeding history. This review paper identifies L. mutabilis limitations and potential uses, and suggests the main breeding targets for further improvement of this crop. It also highlights the potential of new molecular tools and available germplasm resources that can now be used to establish L. mutabilis as a viable protein crop.
Highlights
Challenges such as food security and environmental sustainability have earned the status of main priorities worldwide and are the basis of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) defined by the United Nations in 2015
Selection activities by Andean farmers in the past 1,500 years of cultivation have represented the only means of domestication for L. mutabilis, leading to semi-domesticated forms characterized by non-shattering pods, large seeds, multicolored flowers, highly branched architecture and a more or less annual life cycle (Clements et al, 2008)
This paper summarizes past breeding achievements and sheds light on the new breeding challenges we must resolve to establish L. mutabilis as a protein crop in Europe
Summary
Challenges such as food security and environmental sustainability have earned the status of main priorities worldwide and are the basis of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) defined by the United Nations in 2015. Research has focused on identifying sources of proteins that can reduce the current protein deficit while contributing to the transition to more sustainable agricultural systems. Lupins have been identified as promising, characterized by high-quality protein content, suitability for sustainable production and potential health benefits (Lucas et al, 2015). L. mutabilis is characterized by the highest grain quality of all cultivated lupins, with an oil content similar to soybean, and is adapted to low input farming in temperate climates. The combination of these characteristics makes L. mutabilis a potentially superior alternative to the current plantbased sources of protein and oil in Europe and other regions with temperate climates.
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