LupiSweet – Alkaloid monitoring in white lupin

The project aims to contribute to the quality assurance of white lupin as a high-quality organic food. Alkaloid monitoring* at genetic level (varieties, breeding strains), at seed level (propagation stages) and at cultivation level (influence of location and fertilisation) should help to understand the reasons for the occurrence of alkaloid-rich batches and to prevent their occurrence in the future. It will be investigated whether batches with enhanced alkaloid contents can be cleaned from bitter seeds using a calibrated colour separator at a reasonable cost.

Procedure

1. Establishment of a network with interested farmers. Recording of variety, cultivation methods (e.g. K or S fertilisation) and location. Analysis of alkaloid content per batch.
2. Multi-year variety trials with new breeding lines and reference varieties. Check for resistance and alkaloid content. If sufficient seed is available, strip trials with new variety candidates with interested farmers from the 3rd year onwards.
3. Monitoring of seed propagation for any increase in alkaloid content in the various propagation stages
4. Pilot and large-scale trials with colour selectors.
5. Development of a value chain for white lupin.

• Bio Suisse

• Partnership Bio Suisse and FiBL

• Getreidezüchtung Peter Kunz (gzpk), Feldbach (Canton of Zurich)
• Mühle Rytz, Biberen (Canton of Bern)

• Arncken-Karutz Christine (Department of Crop Sciences)

• Lazzaro Mariateresa (Department of Crop Sciences)
• Messmer Monika (Department of Crop Sciences)

Project coordination and project partners

*Further information on alkaloid levels: FiBL Technical guide "Alkaloidanalyse bei Lupinen" (only in German)

• Plant Breeding (Department of Crop Sciences, FiBL Switzerland)