Western Australia
September 23, 2008
Source:
GRDC's The Crop Doctor
Lupins, first domesticated as a
grain legume crop by WA’s own Dr John Gladstones, have in the
past 30 years developed from nothing into an industry which is
now an essential part of WA agriculture.
Dr Bevan Buirchell, Senior Lupin Breeder at the Department of
Agriculture and Food WA, reminded participants of this at the
recent Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)
supported 12th International Lupin Conference in Fremantle,
September 14 -18.
But the lupin industry now faces on-farm challenges in the form
of herbicide resistant weeds, low economic return and
inconsistent or low yield.
Market challenges also exist, including lack of differentiation
from other protein forms, low protein, allergenicity and
penetrating human consumption markets.
Dr Buirchell addressed the question of how breeding strategies
can contribute to the future success of the lupin industry.
To increase genetic gain in the crop, different sources of
germplasm are available, including wild types, or exotic
germplasm from genebanks, advanced breeding lines and varieties
from other breeding programs.
According to Dr Buirchell, resistance to anthracnose is a
priority for the breeding program and present levels protect
stems, petioles and leaves, but not flowering tissue or early
pods. Screening for resistance on flower tissue has been
difficult and no robust sources of resistance have been
identified.
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Catching up at the GRDC supported 12th International
Lupin Conference in Fremantle were Ray Fulwood of
Northam, who grows 55 hectares of Jenabillup , Rod
Birch of ‘Catalina Farms’, Coorow and presenter
Professor Brian Diers of the University of Illinois,
USA. |
An area of ongoing research is to
identify the cause of Black Pod Syndrome, which can cause yield
loss of up to 40 per cent in south coast regions.
Dr Buirchell indicated the cause is unknown, although it may be
due to late infection with Bean Yellow Mosaic Virus. Identifying
the cause would assist development of resistant lines.
Addressing the GRDC supported conference, he said the cost of
lupin production is rising faster than the farm gate price, so,
to attract better prices, lupins must be differentiated from
other grain legumes.
This could be defined by “special” attributes or if they fall
into “protein sensitive” markets, such as aquaculture, by having
whole seed protein content above 35 per cent.
The current GRDC supported breeding program maintains protein at
above 32 per cent, so there is scope to increase protein levels.
So far, the inverse relationship between yield and protein
apparent in other grains has not been demonstrated in lupins.
Coromup , which has the highest protein of any released variety
at 35 per cent, is available for WA growers interested in
supplying high protein lupins into the aquaculture market. |
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The Crop Doctor is
GRDC Managing Director,
Peter Reading |
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