Lupins are an attractive alternative pulse crop option since they are excellent nitrogen (N) fixers that impart a high nitrogen legacy for following crops, are resistant to Aphanomyces root rot and have an upright growth habit with good standability.
Lupins have moderate to high moisture requirements, requiring at least nine inches (225 mm) of water over the growing season. Soil pH must be less than 7.8 or 7.4, depending on the variety.
narrow leaved blue lupins (left)
Interesting facts about Lupins
- There are more than 280 species of lupin with the main cultivated species being white lupin (Lupinus albus), the yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus), and the blue lupin (Lupinus angustifolius). Of the three, white lupin is marketed internationally as sweet lupin; however, the correct acknowledgement should relate to the low alkaloid levels within the seed. Alkaloid level ranging between 0.01% – 0.03% is considered as “sweet” lupin where “bitter” lupin contains 0.8% – 0.9% alkaloids.
- Lupins are relatively free of insect pests; blister beetles are of concern
- Suitable for low pH soils with high organic matter and good seasonal moisture
- Benefit soil structure due to a strong tap-root system
- Relatively easy to harvest, and reducing weather related damage at harvest time
- Sweet lupins are gluten free and are therefore potentially suitable for people with coeliac/celiac disease
- With proper agronomy in the right soil and geographic area, sweet lupin can achieve yields comparable to field peas
- The flowers will abort due to hear stress
- High alkaline soils result in crop failure
- Sweet white lupin is an annual row crop that develops a vertical primary stem approximately 0.8 m tall with primary and secondary branches. Leaves are alternate, palmately divided into 10 to 15 narrowly oblong leaflets. The leaflets are smooth or hairy above, and very hairy beneath. Individual plants produce clusters of three to seven pods, each containing three to seven seeds. The seeds are cream-coloured and irregularly circular, and up to six cm in diameter. Sweet white lupin is sensitive to both low and high temperatures along with photoperiod during germination and long days may delay flowering. This species has an indeterminate growth habit so the plant may not mature uniformly.
- Two blue narrow leaved varieties (L. angustifolius), Boregine and Lunabor, are present in the MPSG regional variety trials at Roblin, Melita, Arborg and Carberry.
- Flower colour tends to shift throughout the growing season making variety identification by flower colour somewhat unreliable. Bearing that in mind, a white variety (Lupinus albus) called Dieta, is also including in the MPSG regional variety trials this year.
- Lupins are grown for both grain and green manure.
- Lupins can be cross-pollinated or self-pollinated, depending on the species and variety.
To learn more, go to:
Lupin Production Guidelines – Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers