Western Australia
February 17, 2011
A new lupin variety tipped to increase grower profitability will be profiled next week at the Department of Agriculture and Food’s 2011 Agribusiness Crop Updates, supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation.
The new narrow-leaf lupin is an improvement on the popular variety Mandelup. While it performs similarly, it does not experience pod shattering in mature crops - saving growers valuable yield.
The variety was bred by the department and will be named and released nationally as part of the Pulse Breeding Australia initiative, funded by the GRDC
Department lupin breeder Bevan Buirchell said the new line had performed well over the past four years at 16 sites across Western Australia and another 22 sites in the eastern states.
Department of Agriculture and Food lupin breeder Bevan Buirchell will profile a new lupin variety at the upcoming Agribusiness Crop Updates.
“This new lupin has the same quality standards as Mandelup, which currently makes up about 75 per cent of lupin plantings from Kalbarri to Esperance,” Dr Buirchell said.
“Trials showed the overall yield was 102 per cent of Mandelup, ranging from 98 to 108 per cent at different sites. However, the higher yields can be maintained from this new line in mature crops, as seed is not lost to pod shattering.”
The new line has the same pest and disease resistance status as Mandelup, although it is sensitive to grey spot, which has not been seen in Western Australia since the 1980s. It is also tolerant to the herbicide Metribuzin
The variety was bred using conventional techniques from a complex cross, including material from lines related to Tanjil.
“It grows more like Tanjil and seems to perform better on deeper sands than on the red soils,” Dr Buirchell said.
The department is currently seeking a commercial partner to bulk up seed for commercial release for the 2012 season.
Further information on the 2011 Agribusiness Crop Updates on 23 and 24 February is available on the department’s website www.agric.wa.gov.au
Regional Crop Updates will be held for growers throughout the cropping regions during March.
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