Suitability of Lupinus albus L. Genotypes for Organic Farming in Central Northern Bulgaria

Abstract

Cultivars suitable for organic production systems differ in many aspects from those adapted to a conventional one. The present study aimed to evaluate 23 white lupine genotypes for a range of traits: stability, biomass productivity and related parameters, tolerance to Fusarium oxysporum, and nutritional forage value. The goal was to identify white lupine genotypes suitable for organic production conditions in Central Northern Bulgaria. Among the genotypes, Solnechnii, Termis Mestnii, and Tel Keram exhibited the highest dry mass productivity, surpassing 14 t/ha. Solnechnii and Termis Mestnii showed no symptoms of F. oxysporum infection but were unstable in terms of forage yield. On the other hand, the genotypes Bezimenii 1, Barde, 17 Nahrquell, and WAT showed a satisfactory level of stability. Ranking according to basic parameters of biochemical composition, energy, and protein nutritional value determined ranks 1 and 2 for Pink Mutant and Kijewskij Mutant. A genotype with a good balance and complex suitability for organic conditions, considering stability, productivity, and tolerance to F. oxysporum, was identified as Bezimenii 1. This genotype exhibited both stability and productivity while demonstrating high resistance to F. oxysporum (infestation index of 7.18%).