Within-plant variation for seed weight and seed quality traits in white lupin (Lupinus albus L.)

Abstract

The influence of the branch order on seed weight and seed quality traits was studied in 32 bitter landraces of white lupin. Seeds from the mainstem, first-order branches, and second-order branches were harvested separately and the seed weight, protein content, oil content, and oil composition were determined at each branch order. The results showed the presence of within-plant variation for all of the traits included in this study. The seeds from the mainstem were heavier and had lower oil and protein content than the seeds from the branches. The seed oil from the mainstem was characterised by a higher percentage of saturated fatty acids and oleic acid, and a lower percentage of linoleic, linolenic, eicosenoic, and erucic acid than the seeds from the branches. The seeds from the first branch order were heavier and had lower oil and protein content than the seeds from the second-order. Seed oil from the 2 branch orders only differed for the percentage of palmitic acid, which was higher in the first-order. It is concluded that within-plant variation in white lupin should be taken into account to avoid sampling errors, because seeds from one branch order are imperfect as a predictor of the composition of seeds from the others.