Lupin Cultivation Research Articles

The future of lupin as a protein crop in Europe.

Europe has become heavily dependent on soya bean imports, entailing trade agreements and quality standards that do not satisfy the European citizen’s expectations. White, yellow, and narrow-leafed lupins are native European legumes that can become true alternatives to soya bean, given their elevated and high-quality protein content, potential health benefits, suitability for sustainable production, and acceptability to consumers. Nevertheless, lupin cultivation in Europe remains largely insufficient to guarantee a steady supply to the food industry, which in turn must innovate to produce attractive lupin-based protein-rich foods. Here, we address different aspects of the food supply chain that should be considered for lupin exploitation as a high-value protein source. Advanced breeding techniques are needed to provide new lupin varieties for socio-economically and environmentally sustainable cultivation. Novel processes should be optimized to obtain high-quality, safe lupin protein ingredients, and marketable foods need to be developed and offered to consumers. With such an integrated strategy, lupins can be established as an alternative protein crop, capable of promoting socio-economic growth and environmental benefits in Europe.

Энергетическая и экономическая эффективность возделывания узколистного люпина с применением минеральных удобрений, нитрогенизантов и регуляторов роста

Энергетическая и экономическая эффективность возделывания узколистного люпина с применением минеральных удобрений, нитрогенизантов и регуляторов роста

Plant rotation as a means of controlling wilt disease of Lupinus luteus L. on the basis of mycological investigations. II

Following investigations in 1973 and 1974, further studies were made during 1969-1972. These have enabled us to confirm that a five year break in the cultivation of Yellow Lupin, combined with an adequate selection of quality and sequence of plants, is able to lower the inoculative potential in the habitat of <i>Fusarium oxysporum</i> f. sp. lupini which resulted from an earlier epidemic. The persistance of <i>Fusarium oxysporum</i> f. sp. <i>lupini</i> in the soil is very durable. Protection of Yellow Lupin is additionally effected by the use of resistant host plants thus minimizing the further persistance of the pathogen.

The rotation of white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) with metal-accumulating plant crops: A strategy to increase the benefits of soil phytoremediation

Most of the plants employed to remove metals from contaminated soils are annuals and have a seed-to-seed life cycle of a few months, usually over spring and summer. Consequently, for most of the year, fields are not actively cleaned but are completely bare and subject to erosion by water and wind. The objective of this study was to evaluate the benefits of using Lupinus albus as a winter crop in a rotation sequence with a summer crop ideally selected for phytoextraction, such as industrial hemp. Lupin plants were grown in two alkaline soil plots (heavy metal-contaminated and uncontaminated) of approximately 400m2 each after the cultivation and harvest of industrial hemp. A smaller-scale parallel pot experiment was also performed to better understand the lupin behavior in increasing concentrations of Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn. White lupin grew well in alkaline conditions, covering the soil during the winter season. In few months plants were approximately 40–50cm high in both control and contaminated plots. In fields where the bioavailable fraction of metals was low (less than 12%), plants showed a high tolerance to these contaminants. However, their growth was affected in some pot treatments in which the concentrations of assimilable Cu, Zn and Ni were higher, ranging from approximately 40–70% of the total concentrations. The lupin's ability to absorb heavy metals and translocate them to shoots was negligible with respect to the magnitude of contamination, suggesting that this plant is not suitable for extending the period of phytoextraction. However, it is entirely exploitable as green manure, avoiding the application of chemical amendments during phytoremediation. In addition, in polluted fields, white lupin cultivation increased the soil concentration of live bacteria and the bioavailable percentage of metals. On average live bacteria counts per gram of soil were 65×106±18×106 and 99×106±22*106 before and after cultivation, respectively. The percentages of bioavailable Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn and Cr, which were 5.7±0.7, 5.3±1.7, 1.2±0.1, 12±1.5 and 0.1±0.02%, respectively, before lupin growth, increased to 9.6±1.6, 7±2, 2±0.3, 14±1.5 and 0.1±0.02% after lupin harvest.On the whole, our results indicate that the winter cultivation of white lupin in sequence with a metal-accumulator summer crop can improve the recovery of soil quality during the phytoextraction period. It improves the safety of the area, limiting additional ecological and human health problems, and enhances soil health by avoiding the use of chemical amendments and by increasing the levels of viable microorganisms.

Chemical composition of dehulled seeds of selected lupin cultivars in comparison to pea and soya bean

With the objective of promoting the cultivation, usage, and consumption of lupin, in the present study, the chemical and fibre composition of dehulled seeds of seven cultivars of different lupin species (Lupinus angustifolius, Lupinus albus and Lupinus luteus) was determined in comparison to pea (Pisum sativum) and soya bean (Glycine max).The mean protein content of lupin was significantly higher compared to pea (P < 0.001) and similar to soya bean, whereas the proportion of calculated carbohydrates was lowest for lupin (P < 0.001). The content of total dietary fibre and of calculated soluble fibre was higher for lupin compared to pea (P ≤ 0.003) and soya bean (P ≤ 0.013). In contrast to the existing literature, the soluble fibre content of lupin contributed about 75% of the total dietary fibre.In conclusion, dehulled lupin seeds can be considered as a valuable source of plant protein and dietary fibre, while simultaneously being low in carbohydrates. Therefore, lupin should be exploited more efficiently within human and also animal nutrition. In further studies, the impact of dehulling lupin seeds and of using different methodologies in fibre analyses on the results of chemical composition should be elucidated.

Evaluation of the Variation of the Contents of Anti-Nutrients and Nutrients in the Seeds of Legumes

It is assumed that the content of anti-nutrients in legumes seeds and find out the dependency among their content and the amount of important nutrients. The influence of the agri-environmental conditions on concentration of anti-nutrients was evaluated on the basis of the analysis of the material collected from the experiments carried out in the years 2010-2011, located in different regions of Poland. The analyses were performed in the Main Chemical Laboratory of IUNG-PIB Pulawy and in Laboratory of Research Centre for Cultivar Testing (COBORU) in Slupia Wielka, near Poznan. The obtained results indicate that the region of cultivation did not have a significant impact on the concentration of these substances in the seeds of faba bean. Seeds of fodder pea of Muza and Marych cultivars contain significantly less tannins than Roch and Wiato cultivars. In the case of faba bean, however, fewer of these compounds were found at white-flowering cultivars. The average content of total alkaloids in lupine was definitely greater in blue lupine than in yellow lupine. The location of cultivation of yellow lupine did not have an influence on the level of total alkaloids and gramine. Blue lupine collected much less alkaloids in the location of Central Poland and significantly more in the North and West of Poland.

Evaluation of the variation of the contents of anti-nutrients and nutrients in the seeds of legumes

It is assumed that the content of anti-nutrients in legumes seeds and find out the dependency among their content and the amount of important nutrients. The influence of the agri-environmental conditions on concentration of anti-nutrients was evaluated on the basis of the analysis of the material collected from the experiments carried out in the years 2010-2011, located in different regions of Poland. The analyses were performed in the Main Chemical Laboratory of IUNG-PIB Pu?awy and in Laboratory of Research Centre for Cultivar Testing (COBORU) in S?upia Wielka, near Pozna?. The obtained results indicate that the region of cultivation did not have a significant impact on the concentration of these substances in the seeds of faba bean. Seeds of fodder pea of Muza and Marych cultivars contain significantly less tannins than Roch and Wiato cultivars. In the case of faba bean, however, fewer of these compounds were found at whiteflowering cultivars. The average content of total alkaloids in lupine was definitely greater in blue lupine than in yellow lupine. The location of cultivation of yellow lupine did not have an influence on the level of total alkaloids and gramine. Blue lupine collected much less alkaloids in the location of Central Poland and significantly more in the North and West of Poland.

The role of yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus) in the decline affecting oak agroforestry ecosystems

SummaryPhytophthora cinnamomi is a soilborne pathogen causing root rot in Mediterranean Quercus species growing in ‘dehesa’ rangeland ecosystems. Recently, it has been reported causing wilting and death of Lupinus luteus (yellow lupin), a spontaneous plant in southern Spain rangelands, but also frequently sowed for livestock grazing. In soils artificially infested with P. cinnamomi chlamydospores and planted with different cultivars of yellow lupin, a significant increase in the density of propagules was detected in comparison with the initial levels of inoculum and with the infested but not planted soil (control). In oak‐rangelands in which yellow lupine was planted, isolation and counting of colonies of P. cinnamomi from soil samples have shown the ability of this plant to maintain or even increase the inoculum density and thus facilitate the infection of trees. Results suggested that cultivation of yellow lupin in oak‐rangeland ecosystems should be avoided whether oak trees are affected by root disease caused by P. cinnamomi or not. This leguminous plant can act as an inoculum reservoir or even enhance inoculum soil levels available for oak root infections, exacerbating the oak decline severity in the region.

Pecosa-Baer: A New Cultivar of New Cultivar Cultivar of White Lupin with Determined Bushy Growth Habit, Sweet Grain and High Protein Content

The expansion of white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) cultivation in Chile is subject to the availability of cultivars presenting high yield potential, tolerance to the main fungal diseases and homogeneous ripening. In response to these requirements, a new cultivar has been developed and registered as ‘Liapec-1’, commercially registered as ‘Pecosa-Baer’. This new cultivar has determined bushy growth habit. Its flowering period is concentrated in approximately 40 days, less than the 77 days of cv. Rumbo-Baer. This trait allows it to reach harvest without heterogeneity problems. The seed is speckled, flat and medium-sized (370 g/1000 grains aprox.). The kernels are sweet and have a high protein content of around 41% (dry matter basis). In field assays, ‘Pecosa-Baer’ presents a good tolerance to diseases caused by Colletotrichum lupini and Pleiochaeta setosa. The new cultivar has outstanding stability and yield levels, even under low fertilization conditions. An average yield of 5.43 t ha -1 was obtained over four seasons in two locations. In order to maximize its yield, ‘Pecosa-Baer’ must be sown between April and June at a rate of 140-160 kg ha -1 . Given the high protein content and low alkaloid levels of the seeds, they can be included in the diet of all types of animals.

Development of microbial properties in a chronosequence of sandy mine soils

Soil microbial communities are of crucial importance for the functioning of ecosystems developing in post-mining areas. The objective of this study was to compare the properties of microbial communities in mine soils reclaimed for forestry and in mine soils developing under vegetation from natural succession. Soil samples were taken from a degraded site prior to reclamation (MS), a site after 2 years of lupine cultivation (LUP), reclaimed post-mining sites afforested with Scots pine (R6, R20, R28), post-mining sites with spontaneously developing pine forest stands (S6, S20, S27) and two natural pine forest stands (F30, F100). The examined microbial properties included basal respiration (RESP), microbial biomass ( C mic), C mic-to- C org ratio, potential nitrogen mineralization rate (Min_N) and community-level physiological profiles (CLPPs) studied using Biolog ® Ecoplates. The lowest C mic, RESP and Min_N values were determined in soil MS ( C mic = 26.5 mg kg −1, RESP = 1.06 μg C-CO 2 g −1 24 h −1, Min_N = 5.2 μg N kg −1 24 h −1). Among the reclaimed mine soils the most biologically active was R6 ( C mic = 89.2 mg kg −1, RESP = 7.28 μg C-CO 2 g −1 24 h −1, Min_N = 213.2 μg N kg −1 24 h −1). C mic, RESP and Min_N gradually increased with soil age in S6, S20 and S27. Cluster analysis of CLPPs revealed a distinct difference between the natural forest soils and the mine soils. Among the mine soils, the least physiologically diverse was MS. In the successional mine soils, the metabolic abilities developed gradually with soil age. The CLPPs of the youngest successional mine soils resembled more the profiles of soil MS than those of natural forest soils whereas for the youngest reclaimed mine soils the opposite was the case. The results indicate that reclamation measures not only boost the gross microbial properties but also promote rapid development of metabolic abilities characteristic of natural forest soil microbial communities.

Crop influence on mobile sulphur content and arylsulphatase activity in the plant rhizosphere

The changes of mobile sulphur (S) contents were investigated in the plant rhizosphere using precise model experiments with rhizoboxes. The tested plants were winter wheat (&lt;I&gt;Triticum aestivum&lt;/I&gt; L.), winter rape (&lt;I&gt;Brassica napus&lt;/I&gt; L.) and white lupine (&lt;I&gt;Lupinus albus&lt;/I&gt; L.). In this experiment, a Cambisol from a precise field experiment treated with sewage sludge or manure was used. Total extractable S concentration and mineral S (S-SO&lt;sup&gt;2-&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt;) concentration in the water extract were higher in the plant rhizosphere (&lt; 6 mm from the root) compared to the so-called bulk soil (&gt; 6 mm). The contents of total extractable S&lt;sup&gt;0&lt;/sup&gt; decreased in order: lupine (5–35 mg/kg) &gt; rape (4–18 mg/kg) &gt; wheat (1.5–3 mg/kg). The same order was observed for mineral S- SO&lt;sup&gt;2-&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt;where the contents in soil extracts were 1–10 mg/kg, 2–7 mg/kg, and 0.5–3 mg/kg, respectively. The highest total extractable S and mineral S (S- SO&lt;sup&gt;2-&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt;) contents were found in the treatments fertilized with organic fertilizers. In the case of rape and wheat the arylsulphatase (ARS) activity was higher in the rhizosphere compared to the bulk soil; the opposite was recorded for lupine. It was acknowledged that the ARS activity was higher in the treatments fertilized with organic fertilizers (manure or sewage sludge) with all three tested plants. The highest determined ARS activity was found after wheat cultivation, the lowest after the lupine cultivation. The organic sulphur content followed an opposite tendency (lupine &gt; rape &gt; wheat).

Influence of bitter lupin on consumption and digestibility in organic dairy cattle soya bean free diets

One of the main principles of organic husbandry is that animal feed must be GMO free, and soya bean is well-known as a high risk GMO alimentary source. About 25 dry dairy cattle of the Italian Holstein breed, from the Cooperativa Emilio Sereni of Borgo S. Lorenzo (FI), were fed in two successive diets: the first with extruded soya bean (A), and the second in which bitter lupin, faba bean and proteinic pea substituted the soya bean (B). We evaluated both the consumption and the apparent digestibility (using acid insoluble ash as internal marker) of the two diets, repeating the trial twice. The presence of bitter lupin did not influence either the consumption of other feed, or the faecal water content. The apparent digestibility of the organic matter resulted satisfactory in both the diets, but was significantly higher in diet (A) than in diet (B) (71,6% vs 67,3%). In conclusion, even though we wish the cultivation of sweet lupin would be increase in Italy, we retain that also bitter lupin (mixed with other feed to increase the palatability) could be used as alternative protein source in dairy cattle diets.

Effect of heating oil on the activity of soil enzymes and the yield of yellow lupine

The aim of the study was to determine the response of soil enzymes such as dehydrogenases, urease and acid and alkaline phosphatases to heating oil contaminating (0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.5% of soil) the experimental soil supplemented with lime and used for cultivation of yellow lupine of the Markiz variety. An increasing contamination of soil with heating oil stimulated the activity of dehydrogenases and acid and alkaline phosphatases but had a toxic effect on yellow lupine. Lime supplements did not have a significant effect on an average activity of soil dehydrogenases. However, such soil treatment had a significant effect on urease. Increasing heating oil doses in lime-supplemented soil stimulated urease activity, whereas in lime-free soil urease activity was inhibited. The activity of acid and alkaline phosphatase was lower in limed soil than in lime-free soil. The activity of dehydrogenases, urease and alkaline phosphatase in the soil with lupine cultivation was significantly higher than in the unsown soil.

Bradyrhizobium sp. ( Lupinus ) in the winter rainfall region of South Africa

Widespread cultivation of lupin has resulted in the establishment of effective populations of Bradyrhizobium sp. (Lupinus) in the winter rainfall region of the Western Cape, South Africa. To determine whether inoculation increased yields of Lupinus angustifolius L., field trials were carried out at five sites in this region. Populations ranged from 380 rhizobia g–1 in a moderately alkaline (pH 7.6) soil to >5,000 rhizobia g–1 in four moderately acid (pH 5.5–5.8) soils. Soil isolates were generally similar to the inoculant strain WU425 in nitrogen-fixing effectiveness but several were significantly less effective. Average effectiveness of isolates from certain soils differed significantly. Although inoculation failed to appreciably increase nodule occupancy by WU425 in acid soils containing high populations of rhizobia, nodule occupancy was increased to 98% in the low population alkaline soil. The latter site was later abandoned because of disease. At the other sites, analysis of seed dry mass and protein content showed that yields were not significantly increased by either inoculation, nitrogen fertiliser (45 kg N ha–1) or molybdenum applications. Analysis of genomic DNA by PCR fingerprinting showed that WU425 (isolated in Western Australia) and serologically related strains from other cultures clustered separately from the soil isolates. Isolates from the four acid soils were genomically diverse, whereas isolates from the alkaline soil formed a homogeneous cluster. Further investigation is required to determine the benefit of inoculation in alkaline soils of the winter rainfall region of the Western Cape.

Effect of combined inoculation strains on growth of lupin on newly reclaimed land in Egypt

Inoculation studies with Bradyrhizobium isolates were investigated in a glasshouse and field experiment to compare the effects of single and multiple rhizobium inoculations on growth and symbiotic performance in lupin cultivation. A clear difference in host–strain compatibility was observed 120 days after sowing (greater number and dry weight of nodules, higher shoot dry weight and total N accumulation). To confirm the results from the glasshouse, combined inoculations with a different level of N fertilizer and six lupin cultivars were tested on newly reclaimed land at Tahreer Governorate, Egypt. N fertilizer application significantly decreased nodulation status of white lupin, but increased seed and straw yields compared with the non-fertilized control. Two combined inoculations were superior to the other strains in terms of infection and development of nodules in four accessions (1, 20, 30 and 32) and the cultivar Giza 1. All combinations of rhizobium strains tested enhanced the growth and total N accumulation of the lupin cultivars. Rhizobium inoculation increased seed and straw yield compared with the non-inoculated control. Reactions of the tested strain inoculations and interaction between Rhizobium strains and host plant in the glasshouse were almost identical to their reaction in the field. The results from this study suggest that the improvement through development of combined inoculation strains could be possible and would offer security for nodulation. High yields were accomplished with seed inoculation, particularly when lupin was cultivated for the first time and indigenous populations of rhizobia in the soil were low.

Partial resistance to a Fusarium root disease in Egyptian white lupin landraces

A Fusarium sp. root pathogen of lupin is the causal agent of the most important disease that affects the cultivation of white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) in Egypt. The aim of our research was to investigate whether host resistance to Fusariumroot disease was available in Egyptian landraces ofLupinus albus. Five Fusarium isolates collected from white lupin samples in Egypt were tested with an Egyptian landrace and a French cultivar. The most aggressive isolate was used to screen an additional 15 Egyptian landraces, two cultivars released in Egypt after selection among landraces, one Polish cultivar, and two French cultivars. The assessment of host response to Fusarium was performed in a field, and under controlled conditions in a greenhouse pot experiment. Most landraces and the two Egyptian cultivars showed better resistance with good accordance between field and pot experiment. This experiment showed that Egyptian genetic resources of white lupin possess partial resistance to Fusarium root rot. Egyptian germplasm may be an alternative genetic source for incorporating partial resistance to Fusarium root rot into the breeding pools.

Potential of landrace germplasm for genetic enhancement of white lupin in Egypt

Landraces of white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) collected in Egypt were evaluated along with locally developed cultivars and selected foreign germplasm for yield and major morphological characteristics in five different locations. These locations represent different soil types and climatic conditions in Egypt. The results showed an outstanding performance of the local cultivar checks across traditional locations for lupin cultivation, which supports the utilization of local germplasm for further improvement of locally adapted lupins in Egypt. The results further suggest that local landrace germplasm may be an important source of alleles for shortening the vegetative period, reducing plant height and stem length, as well as for improving some yield components as number of pods and seeds per plant. The genotype-by-location interaction was significant for all characteristics. Mass selection in the Egyptian germplasm collection of white lupin has the potential for enhancing yield, especially in germplasm adapted to newly reclaimed desert locations.

Comportement du lupin blanc, Lupinus albus L, cv Lublanc, en sols calcaires. Seuils de tolérance à la chlorose

Summary — Critical levels of CaCO in white lupin (Lupinus albus L) cultivation. Fourty-four fine-textured soils, with total CaCO content from 0 to 46%, were sampled from several areas in Burgundy. They were used to study white lupin behaviour in a greenhouse experiment with the cultivar Lublanc. This behaviour was also studied in an additional trial using soils obtained by mixing one of the 44 soils with increasing amounts (0-15%) of a limestone sieved at 2 different sizes. Soil characteristic, which most explained the lupin results (chlorotic leaf symptoms, chlorophyll leaf content, total dry matter yield), was the content of CaCO with a size smaller than 50 μm. Total CaCO content was nearly as explicative for the natural soils. Lupin results on the contrary were poorly related to DTPA or (COONH extractable Fe soil content and to water or CaCl soil pH. IPC (capacity index for chlorosis) was not so good an indicator of white lupin behaviour as it was of CaCO content. From the results of these experiments, 10‰ CaCO with a size smaller than 50 μm is a critical level for cultivar Lublanc; 25‰ total CaCO can also be considered as critical in fine-textured soils.

The effect of inoculum distribution and sowing depth on Pleiochaeta root rot of lupins

In paddocks with a history of previous lupin cultivation, propagules of the fungus Pleiochaeta setosa are most concentrated in the top 2 cm of soil and rapidly decline to zero at the base of the tillage layer (10-14 cm). The severity of Pleiochaeta root rot is greatly reduced as sowing depth increases, due to avoidance of the concentrated surface soil borne inoculum. Hypocotyls are not infected by P. setosa, enabling disease escape. In four field trials over three seasons, optimum establishment and grain yield occurred at sowing depths close to 5 cm, deeper than previously recommended for lupins in Western Australia.

Growth, Yield, and Yield Components of Lupin Cultivars

AbstractThe cultivation of Lupin, Lupinus spp., as a protein source for animal feed and as a way of improving soil fertility is of interest for crop rotation under rainfed Mediterranean climatic conditions and poor acid soils. The adaptation of a cultivar from each one of the four cultivated species of lupin: L. albus (L.), L. luteus (L.), L. angustifolius (L.), and L. mutabilis (Sweet) has been studied. A comparative analysis of their growth (dry matter, growth rates, leaf area index (LAI) and leaf area duration (LAD), yield, yield components and harvest index (HI), protein, and fat content was carried out in the Guadalquivir Valley in southern Spain on a river terrace with Haploxeralf soil and a loamy clay texture. Variations in climatic conditions markedly influenced the duration of the different growth stages, accumulation of dry matter, leaf area and yield of the different cultivars. Lupinus albus was the species best adapted to the conditions of the survey, distributing its dry matter better and showing better growth indexes and higher grain yield. Lupinus mutabilis proved to be inadvisable for autumn sowings under the ecological conditions of the area. It was sensitive to the cold during its vegetative stage and performed poorly. The values found for the L. luteus and the angustifolius cultivars were less than those registered in other areas where it is a traditional crop. Better growth and grain yield was obtained with them when emergence was in early rather than late autumn.