Sweet white lupin: A potential crop for Ontario

Abstract

Sweet white lupin (Lupinus albus) is an emerging crop in Ontario and, in 1993, up to 600 ha acres of lupin were planted. This crop is adapted to cool and moderately warm climates, is frost-resistant to −2 °C, requires sandy to loamy soils, requires inoculation with Bradyrhizobium sp. to achieve high yields, and improves soil structure and nutrients when included in a crop rotation. The crop requires 119–135 d to mature and is thermosensitive; both traits can reduce yield in seasons with unfavourable environments. The crop is not particularly competitive with weeds and effective weed control is a critical factor in crop production. Lupin is attacked by several pathogens and insects but knowledge on appropriate pest management practices needs to be improved. The harvested seed of sweet white lupin is primarily used as an on-farm source of protein. Seeds do not require heat treatment prior to being used as animal feed and can be included as a part of the protein component in the diets of ruminants, swine and poultry. High protein digestibility and high fibre content of lupin seeds can limit incorporation into the diets of ruminants and swine, respectively. Lupin can be beneficial in human diets because milk from lupin-fed animals contains more unsaturated fatty acids and less saturated fatty acids than milk from animals fed soybean meal. Sweet white lupin has several advantages and disadvantages as an emerging crop in Ontario, but additional research and development are needed. Key words: Lupin (sweet white), Lupinus albus