The increasing demand for yellow lupins could soon be met by Western Australian growers thanks to a new variety planned for release in 2004.

Department of Agriculture lupin breeder Kedar Adhikari said the release of a yellow lupin variety with improved aphid tolerance would enable Western Australian growers to access a highly lucrative market offering premium prices.

"Demand for yellow lupins as a feed for poultry, pigs and the aquaculture industry is due to the grain having higher protein content and better amino acid balance than narrow-leafed lupins," he said.

Dr Adhikari said it was initially believed that the niche for yellow lupins was the vast tracts of highly acidic sandplain with subsoil aluminium toxicity in the eastern wheatbelt, where narrow-leafed lupins did not perform well.

However, some farmers on the south coast have also produced excellent yields from yellow lupins. In addition, a greater tolerance to transient water logging compared to narrow-leafed lupins may have potential for yellow lupins on some duplex soils.

"A new yellow lupin variety will replace Wodjil, which is currently the only commercially available yellow lupin variety for Australian conditions," Dr Adhikari said.

"Wodjil’s susceptibility to aphids and spray management requirements made it unattractive to growers.

"Breeding trials for a new variety are proving to be extremely promising, with a number of aphid tolerant lines being tested and fast tracked through the program. These lines not have only a greater tolerance to aphids, but have higher yield potential than Wodjil."

Dr Adhikari said all of the 12 breeding lines promoted to Stage 3 trials in 2002 had consistently yielded higher than Wodjil over the last two years.

The best lines are being fast tracked and will be considered for commercial release in 2004 following further evaluation this season.