Lupins
Lupin is part of the legume family with both annual and perennial species. There are > 280 species (wild and domesticated) of lupins globally, but only four are of agricultural significance;
Through breeding efforts alkaloid levels were reduced, non-shattering pods and softer seed coats introduced. Lupins which have had their alkaloids bred to lower levels are referred to as “sweet” lupin; contain between 0.01% – 0.03% of alkaloids compared to the “bitter” lupin which contain 0.8 – 0.9%.
Narrow leaved lupin is shorter (50-60cm), has narrow leaves, less branching and is earlier maturing (110-120 days); maturity falling somewhere between a late field pea and an early faba bean. Narrow leaved and lupin have good lodging resistance. White lupin is taller (70-80cm), has wide leaves, is highly branching and late maturing (130-140 days = soybean maturity). White lupin will lodge, ever so slightly, in low areas high in moisture and fertility.
Lupin species are best adapted to the higher moisture areas of the prairies which correspond with the black, thin black, dark gray and gray wooded soils zones. Lupin is sensitive to high soil pH, high calcium carbonate levels[CCE(Calcium Carbonate Equivalent)] and salinity(soluble salts). Soil pH > 7.2(narrow leaved) and >7.8(white) may lead to Iron Chlorosis Deficiency (IDC). Lupin has good spring frost tolerance once past the cotyledon stage and should be one of the first crops planted on the farm in the spring. Due to late maturity, target no later than the end of the first week of May if at all possible.
Similar to other pulse crops, be careful of residues from herbicide products used on the crops before growing lupins (look at past field history for at least two years). Product active ingredients to watch include sulfonylureas, dicamba, clopyralid and pyrasulfoltole. If unsure about your previous herbicide product, conduct a field bioassay. Refer to Alberta Blue Book for specific questions.
Soil textures that are extremely heavy clay or sandy are not well suited for lupin production.
An inoculant with rhizobia (Bradyrhizobioum lupini) specific to lupin must be used. Soya bean, field pea, lentil and faba bean inoculant will not work on lupin. LEGUMEFix™ for lupin is available in both peat and liquid formulations from Legume Technology Ltd.(UK).
Nitrogen is by far the most important nutrient and is required by all crops grown. It is the basis for protein content in seed. As with all pulse crops, with proper inoculation comes a root system with plentiful nodules which is able to meet the majority of the lupin crop’s nitrogen requirements. Of the macro nutrients, phosphorous is known to be the most important nutrient for grain legumes once nitrogen requirements are met. P, K and S fertility research on narrow leaved lupin in Alberta (6 sites over 3 years) showed an application of 20 lbs P2O5 (35 lbs acre-1 of 11-51-0) is required for lupin to reduce production risk and maximize grain yield.
Selecting fields that have been very well managed for weeds in the previous crop (i.e. are relatively weed free) is extremely important for lupin production. A word of caution. A common thought or inclination by growers is to go onto RR canola stubble (a clean field), but none of the products used on lupin control volunteer canola which can really take off and flush with rainfall events. Even growing cereals one year out from canola, can lower those volunteer canola population by 90%.
Do not assume herbicide products used on field pea, faba bean or lentil will work safely on lupin. Basagran (bentazon), Viper (imazamox and bentazon)*, MCPA(Na salt), Tropotox (MCPB Na salt and MCPA K salt), Odyssey Ultra (imazamox and imazethapyr), Solo( imazamox ) and Pursuit(imazethapyr) all either cause severe crop damage and/or delayed maturity.
Pre-Harvest Glyphosate
Land rolling to smooth out the field for post seeding operations should be considered but may not be strictly required as lupin has a strong stem with pods being relatively high off the ground and does not lodge under normal conditions. If a grower chooses to land roll, caution must be taken to not double roll headlands as this may cause overpacking and reduce crop emergence.
Cutworms and wireworm have been observed to cause damage early in the growing season and control may be warranted. Blister beetles (Lytta spp. and Epicauta spp.) have been found to be preferential feeders on lupin species. Host plants include alfalfa, canola, faba bean, sweet clover, caragana and vetches.
Grasshoppers are also of concern. Matador 120 EC™/Labamba™ (lambda-cyhalothrin), Beleaf 50 SG™ (flonicamid), Eco Bran™ (carbaryl), Coroagen (chlorantraniliprole), Intrepid 240F™ (methoxyfenozide), Movento 240 (spirotetramat) are registered products for control of insects in lupin.
However, lupin has resistance to the aphanomcyes root rot pathotype that causes huge yield reductions of field pea and lentil especially in wet years which will be huge benefit to those growers no longer able to grow these crop kinds.
Sclerotinia (white mould) has been observed on research plots, however, levels have been low and no remedial action has been required. There are numerous registered fungicides for control of foliar diseases of lupin; Acapela™ (picoxystrobin), Elatus™ (benzovindiflupyr + azoxystrobin) Lance™ (boscalid), Tilt™ (propiconzole), Quadris™ (azoxystrobin), Priaxor™ (pyraclostrobin + fluxapyroxad) and Headline™ (pyraclostrobin).
A delay in the harvest of narrow leaved lupin results in an overripe crop with seed/pod shattering losses of 10-50%. Additionally, mature narrow leaved lupin plants have a stiff and rigid stalk, and the simple impact of the cutter bar causes pod drop as well as shattering of pods at the knife or on the table. White lupin does not have any appreciable shattering at harvest. Because of white lupin’s slow and uneven ripening as well as late maturity, the use of a desiccant is seen as critical to finish off the crop.
Application of a desiccant should occur when the bottom pods of the majority plants are ripe, pods brown and dry with the seed detached from the pods. The seeds in less mature pods will split in half, rather than be mushy, when squeezed. The stalks of the lupin plant may be pale green in color. Reglone is registered for use on lupin in the United Kingdom. Read and follow label directions for use of all products. Roundup Transorb™ HC/Roundup Weather Maxx™ (glyphosate) is registered for pre-harvest weed control in lupin. Swathing of lupin is not normally done.
Harvest is recommended at a higher seed moisture content (17-18%) to minimize shatter losses. Seed can be aerated in storage to dry which is 15%.
