Lupin Breeding in Australia

Abstract

The lupin industry in Australia is based largely on Lupinus angustifolius, the narrow-leafed lupin. This species was developed as a new crop in Australia by J S Gladstones in the 1960s from semi-domesticated L. angustifolius introduced from Europe. The genes for low alkaloid content (iuc) and soft seeds (moll) were available in the Swedish forage variety Borre. Spontaneous mutants with white flowers and seeds (leuc) and non-shattering pods (le and ta) were found in the bitter landrace New Zealand Blue. These were recombined with iuc and moll to release the first commercial sweet varieties Uniwhite (1967) and Uniharvest (1969). However, it was not until early flowering (spontaneous mutant Ku) was found in Borre and recombined to produce the variety Unicrop (1973) that the narrow-leafed lupin became a viable crop for the main cropping regions of southern Australia. Breeding since that time has focussed on developing disease resistance, and concurrently yield and quality. Resistance to grey leaf spot (Stemphylium vesicarium) in Marri (1976) and Illyarrie (1979) and resistance to Phomopsis stem blight (Diaporthe toxica) in Gungurru (1988) and Merrit (1991) were major breakthroughs in the development of the crop. The role of wild lupins in these genetic advances was paramount. Genetic advances in yield of narrow-leafed lupins from Unicrop (1973) to Merrit (1991) occurred at an average rate of approximately 2% per year. Breeding and testing of lupins in Australia is funded partly by industry funds through a nationally co-ordinated project. All new varieties must contain less than 0.02% alkaloids on average. In addition to L. angustifolius, L. albus cv. Kiev Mutant has been very successful on more fertile loamy soils. A low alkaloid and early flowering variety of L. luteus, cv. Wodjil, was released in 1997 and is adapted to very acid sands in low rainfall areas. Breeders are also domesticating new lupin species such as L. atlanticus and L. pilosus for more alkaline and loamy soils. The greatest challenge facing breeders at present is the urgent need for anthracnose resistance.