Grower Resources

The latest research, results, and news regarding lupin production in Canada for growers.

Lupin General

lupin is part of the legume family with both annual and perennial species.
280 species (wild and domesticated) of lupin globally, but only four are of agricultural significance;
- Lupinus albus (white)
- Lupinus luteus (yellow)
- Lupinus angustifolius (narrow leafed, blue)
- Lupinus mutabilis (Andean pearl)
through breeding efforts alkaloid levels were reduced, non shattering pods introduced and softer seed coats.
lupin which have had their alkaloids bred to lower levels are referred to as “sweet” lupin. They contain between 0.01% 0.03% of alkaloids compared to the “bitter” lupin which contain 0.8 0.9%.

Dieta for MB (White) - Best Management Practices

Field Selection

Why Choose c. v Dieta White Lupin?

adapted to higher pH soils
white lupin is the highest yielding of lupin species
seed protein content % (yellow > white > narrow leaved blue)
preferred lupin species for food applications
lower overall alkaloids 1/3 of angustifolius

Field Selection

Responds well to moderate and high (not excessive), evenly consistent moisture throughout the growing season.

Do not plant white lupin (L. albus) on

soils > 7.8 pH
soils with low organic matter /degraded knolls
manured fields
extremely sandy or heavy clay soils
fields in close proximity to bee hives (outcrossing)

Require cereal stubble (barley, wheat, oat) excluding fall rye that has had a pre harvest (or post harvest) glyphosate

Similar to other pulse crops be careful of herbicide residues from herbicide products used on the crops before growing lupin (past field history for at least two years)

product active ingredients or chemistries to watch (sulfonylureas, dicamba, clopyralid, pyrasulfoltole).

If unsure about your previous herbicide product conduct a field bioassay.

Common products (Tradenames) to be aware for herbicide residues are
2,4D/MCPA(under extreme dry conditions), Accent, Ally, Assert, Attain, Banvel II/Engenia, Curtail M, Eclipse III, Express* Everest, GlyKamba, Hat Trick, Infinity, Lontrel, Muster, PrePass, Prestige, Primextra II Magnum, Primextra Magnum, Shotgun, Simazine, Spectrum, Sundance, Triton C, Tundra Tordon, T rophy, Prism, Ultim, Unity and Velpar (this is not an exhaustive list and check the Tradename of products used for reside type chemistries)

Infinity* (pyrasulfotole + bromoxynil) on wheat and Tundra (pyrasulfotole + fenoxyprop-p-ethyl + bromoxynil) on barley the year previous.

*do not plant field pea on soils with pH >7.5 and organic matter < 2.5%

Watch pre-emergent and post seeding applications of any product [i.e. Express SG* (tribenuron-methyl + glyphosate or 2, 4-D).

*should not used prior on pulse crops on soils greater than 50% sand and less than 3% organic matter

If unsure please check with an agrologist and/or herbicide company representative.

Seeding

A crop with the right plant populations will compete better with with weeds and maximize yield.
When looking at information on line be careful you ar referring to the right lupin species there are different target plant populations for different lupin species.
One reason for the difference is narrow versus wide leaves.
The target plant population for white lupin is 40 plants m^-2 or 4 plants ft^-2 or approximately 165 lbs acre^-1 (185 kg ha^-1)
Do not stretch your acres. Need high plant populations to be competitive with weeds and achieve highest yields
Seed as early as possible Dieta (L .albus) it is a late maturing crop, requiring > 130 frost free days to reach physiological maturity
Dieta has spring frost tolerance
should be the first crop planted on the farm in the spring.
- lupin similar to other pulse crops have a certain degree of spring frost tolerance versus canola, dry bean or other crops
seed lupin at a depth of 2.5cm to 5.0cm (1"-2") into a firm, moist seedbed.
watch for seed damage.
- belt conveyors provide gentle handing of the crop and are preferred over screw augers
- if using portable screw augers, slowing the rotation speed can lessen seed damage
- when seeding the lupin crop, adjust air speeds to prevent seed cracking and or breakage
Land rolling to smooth out the field for post seeding operations should be considered.
- if a grower chooses to land roll, caution must be taken not to double roll headlands as this may cause overpacking and reduce crop emergence

Narrow Leaf Versus Normal Leaf

Inoculant - Rhizobia Specific to Lupin

Weed Control

Start with a healthy, competitive crop (right seeding date, depth, plant population and fertility)
With the field selection of a cereal to plant into, hard to kill weeds should have been taken care of in the previous crop
Do not assume herbicide products used on field pea, faba bean or lentil will work safely on lupin i.e. Basagran (bentazon), MCPB, 2-4DB are all deadly to lupin
Do not experiment on your own. If unsure please ask an agrologist or herbicide company representative.
For the most up to date registrations, see the Pest Management Regulatory Agency label search database at Search Product Label. Type lupin, lupins, lupine, lupines into the search tab, search full contents of e-labels:
- Glyphosate[G9] - pre-harvest(not for seed) on previous cereal crop. Post harvest application if conditions allow.
- Edge(ethalfluralin[G3]) - fall applied preferred

Spring Applied Herbicides

Glyphosate[G9] - pre-seed burn down. Aim (carfentrazone)[G14] for use on lupin pre-seeding alone or in combination with glyphosate and Express SG (tribenuron methyl)[G2] alone or in combination with glyphosate pre-seeding (24 hours prior to) are also registered.
*Express SG should not be used prior to registered pulse or forage crops on soils with greater than 50% sand or less than 3% organic matter
Assure II(Quizalofop-p-ethyl[G1]), or Poast Ultra(Sethoxydim[G1]) or Select/Centurion(Clethodim[G1]) for grassy weed control (wild oat, volunteer cereals) products (check label for specific weeds spectrum).

Fertility

Diseases

Soil Borne

Root Rot Disease Complex of Rhizoctonia solani , Pythium spp., and Fusarium spp. which are found to affect many pulses, affect lupin as well.
lengthening crop rotations between susceptible pulse species to reduce inoculum build up is a foundational tool for managing many of the root rot complex diseases.
depending on the specific root rot disease a 1 in 4 to 1 in 8 year break between growing pulse crops.
avoid planting a broadleaf crop on broadleaf crop as many diseases are common amongst them.
systemic fungicides as seed treatments will be beneficial in combating these crop threats as well.
For the most up-to-date registrations, see the Pest Management Regulatory Agency label search database at Nodulation and Nitrogen Fixation Field Assessment Guide Type lupin, lupins, lupine, lupines into the search tab, search full contents of e-labels:
- Agrox FL (captan), Apron XL (metalaxyl), Maxim 480 (fludioxonil), Evergol Xtend (trifloxystrobin + penflufen), Evergol Energy (prothioconazole + metalaxyl + penflufen) ,Vibrance Trio (metalaxyl + fludioxonil + sedaxane), Cruiser Maxx Vibrance Pulse RTA® (thiamethoxam +metalaxyl + fludioxonil + sedaxane).

Foliar

Anthracnose (collectotrichum gloeosporiodes and collectotrichum acutatum) is the disease of most concern in white lupin production globally and this lupin species is highly susceptible.
- weakened stems bend over(shepherds crook shape), twist eventually breaking off.
- stems appear to be rubbery, lesions (brown in color with a white, pink or orange center) appear in the crook
- twisted and deformed pods and wrinkled, brown seed are other hallmark signs of the disease
- seed is the primary manner in which the disease was spread around the world
Spraying a foliar disease control product for anthracnose in seed production is required. Products in the triazoles family of fungicides are used in the UK for control of anthracnose. Tilt 250E (propiconazole) is registered for use on lupin.
Sclerotinia (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) also known as white mold is a common disease of lupin
- wilted plants with water soaked lesions on the stem soon after flowering
- lodging is a tell-tale symptom
- cottony white mould accompanied with black scleriod bodies inside the stem cavity form
- bleached stem
lengthening crop rotations between susceptible pulse species to reduce inoculum build up is a foundational tool for managing many of the foliar diseases.
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

Insects

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
- slender black, metallic colored beetles (12-25 mm in length) are easily spotted
- often cluster on lupin in June and July of the year
- feeding damage caused by these beetle has been observed on leaves, flowers and pods
Cutworms (Agrotis spp.) and Wireworms (Agriotes spp.) symptoms include the hypocotyl being cut off at ground level, chew bites on the seedlings and partial defoliation
- both these pests are often found after coming off the first year of hay and pasture fields and if growers follow the recommendation to grow on cereal stubble first these two pest shouldn’t be a problem

Blister Beetle (Lytta spp. and Epicauta spp.)

Weevil species Charagmus gressorius (aka Sitona gressorius) and Charagmus griseus have been known to attack both sweet and bitter lupin in Europe
- leaf damage caused by the adult weevil feeding is usually minimal with the largest concern being feeding on the nodules by the weevil larvae (reported yield losses of 26-58%)
- nodules are responsible for nitrogen fixation and if destroyed will cause both a yield and protein seed content % decrease
Pea leaf weevil (Sitona lineatus) is widespread on the prairies and lupin may also be susceptible to this insect pest

Surveying fields for insects as large field scale production gets underway is strongly urged.
Economic thresholds for determining whether a spray is warranted will have to be developed.
For the most up to date registrations, see the Pest Management Regulatory Agency label search database at Search Product Label. Type lupin, lupins, lupine, lupines into the search tab, "Search full contents of e-labels:"
Other Pests
- rabbits, pigeons and deer
- ducks and geese?

Harvest

Conclusion

Yield, Nitrogen Fixation and Benefits to Crops Following Lupin

Lupin Yield
- range from 1-2 tonnes acre^-1, but a reasonable expectation is 1.25 to 1.6 tonnes acre^-1 (46-59 bushels acre^-1)
- yield comparable to field pea, but not as high as faba bean
- inputs are lower on lupin
Benefits in the crop rotation
- great for nitrogen fixation, soil structure and exude citrate into the soil releasing bound phosphorous and potassium
- most common number for nitrogen fixation is 230kg ha^-1 (205lbs acre^-1)
- 70% (160kg ha^-1) will be used by the lupin crop
- remaining 30% (70kg ha^-1) is left to benefit the following wheat crop

Conclusion

Field selection

Cereal stubble is preferred
Plant on soils < pH 7.8 and not on fields with low organic matter/eroded knolls
Do not select fields near bee hives (outcrossing)
Avoid fall rye and broadleaved crop stubble such as canola
watch herbicide residues from weed control products on previous crops
Extremely sandy or heavy clay textured soils will have challenges

Seeding - target plant populations

Want a healthy, competitive crop
target 4 plants ft^-2 which is 165lbs acre^-1

Inoculant specific to lupin is required

Bradyrhizobium sp (Lupinus)

Weed Control

Start with a healthy competitive crop (right seeding date, depth and plant population)
Do not experiment on your own with herbicide products if unsure please ask
Glyphosate[G9] - pre-harvest on previous cereal crop (not on seed crops)or post harvest if environmental conditions allow
Edge(ethalfluralin[G3])- fall applied preferred for good broadleaf weed control
Glyphosate[G9]- pre-seed burndown or Aim (carfentrazone)[G14] for use on lupin pre-seeding alone or in combination with glyphosate and Express SG (tribenuron-methyl)[G2] alone or in combination with glyphosate pre-seeding (24 hours prior to)
Assure II(Quizalofop-p-ethyl[G1]) or Poast Ultra(Sethoxydim[G1]) or Select/Centurion(Clethodim[G1]) for grassy weed control (wild oat, volunteer cereals)

Fertility

specifically pay attention to phosphorous
40lbs acre^-1 of 11-51-0 placed in the seed row

Disease

Anthracnose
Sclerotinia (white mold)

Insects

Blister beetle
Cutworms
Pea Leaf Weevil?

Harvest

Desiccate with Reglone. Do not use glyphosate as it is a weed control measure not a harvest aid.
Start with field pea combine setting from operator manual

General settings include; slow reel speed, 400-600 rpm cylinder speed and high wind speed

Boregine for AB (Blue) - Best Management Practices

Field Selection

responds well to moderate and high, evenly consistent moisture throughout the growing season.
do not plant L. angustifolius on
- soils > 7.2 pH
- soils with low organic matter /degraded knolls
- manured fields
- extremely sandy or heavy clay soils
require cereal stubble (barley, wheat, oat) excluding fall rye that has had a pre-harvest (or post harvest) glyphosate
similar to other pulse crops be careful of herbicide residues from herbicide products used on the crops before growing lupin (past field history for at least two years)
- product active ingredients or chemistries to watch (sulfonylureas, dicamba, clopyralid, pyrasulfoltole).
if unsure about your previous herbicide product conduct a field bioassay
- Common products (Tradenames) to be aware for herbicide residues are 2,4-D/MCPA (under extreme dry conditions), Accent, Ally, Assert, Attain, Banvel II/ Engenia , Curtail M, Eclipse III, Express* Everest, GlyKamba , Hat Trick, Infinity, Lontrel , Muster, PrePass , Prestige, Primextra II Magnum, Primextra Magnum, Shotgun, Simazine, Spectrum, Sundance, Triton C, Tundra Tordon , T rophy , Prism, Ultim , Unity and Velpar (this is not an exhaustive list and check the Tradename of products used for reside type chemistries)
Infinity* pyrasulfotole +bromoxynil) and pyrasulfotole + fenoxyprop-p-ethyl +bromoxynil)
- do not plant field pea on soils with pH >7.5 and organic matter < 2.5%
Watch pre emergent and post seeding applications of any product [i.e. Express SG*( tribenuron methyl + glyphosate or 2, 4-D]. 2 4 D has been shown to carryover in dry falls and/or springs.
- *should not used prior on pulse crops on soils greater than 50% sand and less than 3% organic matter
If unsure please check with an agrologist

Seeding

A crop with the right plant populations will compete better with with weeds and maximize yield. There are different target plant population for different lupin species.
One reason for the difference is narrow (L. angustifolius ) versus wide leaves (L. albus)
L. angustifolius takes more time to close its' crop canopy and until the crop does there will be a fierce competition with broad leaved weeds
Based on Alberta Agriculture and Forestry's earlier* research, the target plant population for L. angustifolius should be a minimum of 10 plants/ft² or 110 plants/m² or 200 lbs per acre
Do not stretch your acres. Need high plant populations to be competitive with weeds and achieve highest yields

2019 Lupin Plant Populations Research - Alberta Agriculture and Forestry

(110 plants m^-2 = 10 plants ft^-2 = 200 lbs acre^-1

Should be the first crop planted on the farm in the spring. Target seeding for before the end of the first week of May as it is a late maturing crop, requiring 110-120 frost free days to reach physiological maturity.
- crop kind does have spring frost tolerance
Counting 120 frost free days from May 7^th, would take the crop to September 7^th (average fall frost date in north central Alberta)
Seed lupin at a depth of 2.5cm to 5.0cm (1"-2") into a firm, moist seedbed
Watch for seed damage
- Belt conveyors provide gentle handing of the crop and are preferred over screw augers
- If growers have portable screw augers, slowing the rotation speed can lessen seed damage
- When seeding the lupin crop, adjust air speeds to prevent seed cracking and or breakage
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 seem to lodge
- 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

Narrow Leaf Versus Normal Leaf

Inoculant

Weed Control

Weed Control Products

Do not assume herbicide products used on field pea, faba bean or lentil will work safely on lupin
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry screened 60 products/product combinations and timings on L. angustifolius i.e. pre-plant, post emergence
- Basagran (bentazon), Viper (imazamox & bentazon)*, MCPA(Na salt), Tropotox (MCPB Na salt & MCPA K salt), Odyssey Ultra (imazamox & imazethapyr), Solo( imazamox ), Pursuit(imazethapyr) all either cause severe crop damage and/or delayed maturity
If unsure please ask

Parts of a Lupin Plant

Source: LUPIN Development Guide. Miles Darcup and EJM Kirby.

Weed Control Program

Glyphosate[G9] - pre-harvest(not for seed) on previous cereal crop. Post harvest application if fall conditions allow.
Edge (ethalfluralin [G3]) - fall applied preferred for best broadleaf weed control
Glyphosate[G9] - pre-seed burn down. Aim (carfentrazone)[G14] for use on lupin pre-seeding alone or in combination with glyphosate and Express SG (tribenuron methyl)[G2] alone or in combination with glyphosate pre seeding (24 hours prior to) are also registered.
*Express SG should not be used prior to registered pulse or forage crops on soils with greater than 50% sand or less than 3% organic matter
Assure II (Quizalofop p ethyl[G1]), or Poast Ultra (Sethoxydim [G1]) or Select/Centurion(Clethodim[G1]) for grassy weed control (wild oat, volunteer cereals) products (check label for specific weeds spectrum).

Sencor (metrbuzin [G5 using split low rate(75g or 110ml/acre, two application timings(early followed 7-10 days later) and 70L(17 gallons/acre) of spray water.

Early application is when the weeds are no larger than a quarter coin in size.
Water volume at 17 gallons will reduce crop injury.
Do not use on sandy or peat soils, soils with eroded knolls or low organic matter (< 4% OM)

Fertility

Lupin with the required fertility will compete better with weeds and maximize yield
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 well nodulated root system which is able to meet the majority of the lupin nitrogen requirements.
There is some scientific evidence in all pulse crops to suggest a small amount ( < 10lbs /acre)of starter nitrogen is beneficial as there is a nitrogen fixation lag of 4-5 weeks before the invasion of the root hairs by bacteria and nodulation formulation.
This small amount of nitrogen can be supplied by the natural breakdown of soil organic matter and as an accompanying nutrient in product formulations, phosphorous fertilizer, such as 11-51-0, which contain 11% nitrogen.
Of the macro nutrients, phosphorous is known to be the most important nutrient for grain legumes once nitrogen requirements are met
Fertility research on lupin in Alberta (6 sites over 3 years) on cv. Arabella (L. angustifolius), supports the application of 22kg ha^-1 P₂O₅ to reduce production risk and maximize grain yield. This would be the equivalent 35lbs acre^-1 of 11-51-0 side banded (1" to the side).
In the Alberta study, potassium (33.6kg ha^-1 K₂0) and sulphur (16.8 kg ha^-1S) applications alone did not increase yield with the combination of all nutrients being similar to the addition of 20 kg ha^-1 actual of P₂O₅ alone.
Micronutrients used as soil additions for lupin production have not yet been researched in Alberta. In other lupin growing jurisdictions of the world and dependent upon species, a response by lupin to iron, zinc, copper and cobalt have been noted.

Diseases

Soil Borne

Root Rot Disease Complex of Rhizoctonia solani , Pythium spp., and Fusarium spp. which are found to affect many pulses, affect lupin as well
- plant disease surveys in Alberta found Fusarium spp. as the predominant root rot disease.
- based on the fusarium isolates that were recovered from diseased lupin plants Fusarium avenaceum was the major specie
systemic fungicides as seed treatments will be beneficial in combating these crop threats
- Agrox FL (captan), Apron XL (metalaxyl), Maxim 480 (fludioxonil), Evergol Xtend (trifloxystrobin + penflufen), Evergol Energy (prothioconazole + metalaxyl + penflufen) and Vibrance Trio (metalaxyl + fludioxonil + sedaxane)
lengthening crop rotations between susceptible pulse species to reduce inoculum build up is a foundational tool for managing many of the root rot complex diseases.
- depending on the specific root rot disease a 1 in 4 to 1 in 8 year break between growing pulse crops

Foliar

Sclerotinia also known as white mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) has been observed on lupin late in the growing season after canopy closure under moist growing conditions in Alberta
- wilted plants with water soaked lesions on the stem soon after flowering
- lodging is a tell-tale symptom
- cottony white mould accompanied with black scleriod bodies inside the stem cavity form
- bleached stem
Anthracnose (collectotrichum gloeosporiodes and collectotrichum acutatum) is the disease of most concern in lupin production globally, but has yet to be found in Alberta
- 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)
- lengthening crop rotations between susceptible pulse species to reduce inoculum build up is a foundational tool for managing many of the foliar diseases.

Insects

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
- slender black, metallic colored beetles (12-25 mm in length) are easily spotted
- often cluster on lupin in June and July of the year
- feeding damage caused by these beetle has been observed on leaves, flowers and pods
Cutworms (Agrotis spp.) and Wireworms (Agriotes spp.) have been observed to cause damage early on lupin in the growing season on fields in Alberta
- symptoms include the hypocotyl being cut off at ground level, chew bites on the seedlings and partial defoliation
- both these pests are often found after coming off the first year of hay and pasture fields and if growers follow the recommendation to grow on cereal stubble these two pest shouldn’t be a problem

Blister Beetle (Lytta spp. and Epicauta spp.)

Weevil species Charagmus gressorius (aka Sitona gressorius) and Charagmus griseus have been known to attack both sweet and bitter lupin in Europe
- leaf damage caused by the adult weevil feeding is usually minimal with the largest concern being feeding on the nodules by the weevil larvae (reported yield losses of 26-58%)
- nodules are responsible for nitrogen fixation and if destroyed will cause both a yield and protein seed content % decrease
Pea leaf weevil (Sitona lineatus) is widespread on the prairies and lupin may also be susceptible to this insect pest
Other insect pests of lupin mentioned in the research literature are; aphid species (Aphis fabae, Acyrthosiphon pisum, Macrosiphum albifrons), bean or onion seedling maggot (Delia platura), slugs (Deroceras reticulatum), lucerne flea (Sminthurus viridis), red-legged earth mite (Halotydeus destructor), mirid bugs (lygus spp.) and thrips (Thrips angusticeps)
Surveying fields for insects as large field scale production gets underway is strongly urged

Harvest

Conclusion

Field Selection

cereal stubble is preferred
plant on soils < pH 7.2 and not on fields with low organic matter/eroded knolls
avoid fall rye and broadleaved crop stubble such as canola
do not select extremely sandy or heavy clay soils
watch herbicide residues from weed control products on previous crops

Seeding - target plant populations

want a healthy, competitive crop
target 10 plants ft^-2 which is ~ 200 lbs acre^-1
calculate seeding rate based on the seed you have g 1000^-1 seeds(TSW) germination, mortality/emergence

Inoculant specific to lupin is required

Bradyrhizobium sp (Lupinus)

Weed Control

start with a healthy competitive crop (right seeding date, depth and plant population)
do not experiment on your own with herbicide products. If unsure please ask
Glyphosate[G9] - pre-harvest on previous cereal crop (not on seed crops) or post harvest if environmental conditions allow
Edge( ethalfluralin [G3]) - fall applied preferred
Glyphosate[G9] - pre-seed burndown
Assure II(Quizalofop p ethyl[G1]) or Poast Ultra(Sethoxydim [G1]) or Select/Centurion(Clethodim[G1]) for grassy weed control (wild oat, volunteer cereals) products

Fertility

specifically pay attention to phosphorous
35 lbs acre^-1 of 11-51-0 placed in the seed row

Disease

Sclerotinia (white mould)
Anthracnose

Insects

Blister beetle
Cutworms
Pea Leaf Weevil?

Harvest

Desiccate
Watch for an over ripe crop which could cause excessive shattering
Start with field pea combine setting
- general settings include; slow reel speed, 400-600 rpm cylinder speed and high wind speed