Genetics and Breeding of Lupinus mutabilis: An Emerging Protein Crop

Abstract

Protein crops have gained increasing interest in recent years, as a transition towards plant-protein based diets appears pivotal to ensure global food security and preserve the environment. The Andean species Lupinus mutabilis emerges as an ideal protein crop with great potential for Europe and other regions with temperate climates. This species is characterized by oil and protein content similar to soybean and is highly valued for its adaptability to colder climates and low input agriculture on marginal land. However, its introduction outside the Andes has yet to take off. To date, L. mutabilis remains an under-studied crop, lacking high yield, early maturity and a consistent breeding history. This review paper identifies L. mutabilis limitations and potential uses, and suggests the main breeding targets for further improvement of this crop. It also highlights the potential of new molecular tools and available germplasm resources that can now be used to establish L. mutabilis as a viable protein crop.

Andean Lupin Phenology and Agronomic Performance under Different Planting Dates in a Mediterranean Climate

“…Strong positive correlations were observed between plant height and height from ground to the first branch's infloresence, days to pod maturity, total number of pods per plant, total number of seeds per plant and seed yield indicating the importance of growth type selection to breed for seed yield [15]. The importance of correlation of plant architecture to phenological and agronomical traits and the feasibility of breeding for favorable genotypes aiming to increase yield production has been previously underlined by Römer and Jahn-Deesbach [18], Hardy et al [26] and Guilenge et al [35].…”

“…High air temperature prevailed during the flowering (>25 • C) and podding stage (>29 • C) in both years and low rainfall regimes from May to July during the second experimental year negatively affected all accessions and led to increased percentages of plants with unfilled seeds and pods abscission, especially under the very late planting treatment applied in the first experimental year. It is crucial, therefore, to screen and select genotypes with increased drought tolerance [15] that can express various tolerance mechanisms [44]. Plants under all treatments due to heat stress were not able to produce pods and seeds of a third or a higher order of branches.…”

“…Recently its cultivation in its center of origin has been reduced and farmers are producing it mainly for their own consumption and not for selling [13]. However, interest in Andean lupin cultivation in Europe and Australia [8] has increased in the last few decades because of its high seed protein (>40%) [14] and its good oil quality reaching up to 20% [6,15,16], two traits that present weak or no correlation and therefore selection can be applied for high values in both [16][17][18].…”

Potential of Andean lupine (Lupinus mutabilis) for biodiesel production via methanolic route: A review

“…27 A espécie cresce adequadamente em lugares cuja altitude seja entre 2000 e 3800 m, 450 mm de pluviosidade mínima média anual em climas frios ou temperados (7 a 18 ºC) e em solos arenosos ácidos ou levemente alcalinos de pH entre 5,5 a 7,6. [28][29] Os rendimentos em quilogramas por hectare podem variar entre 400 e 650 para cultivos na Bolívia e no Equador, 1335 para cultivos no Peru e entre 2500 e 3000 para cultivos potenciais na Europa. 30 A densidade de semeadura recomendada é de 40 a 50 kg de sementes por hectare, a qual, pode ser realizada em sulcos de 60 a 70 cm de distância.…”

“…Dependendo das características do solo, é admitido usar alguns fertilizantes por hectare, nitrogênio 40 a 50 kg, P 2 O 5 80 kg, e K 2 O 50 kg, no entanto, é possível atingir rendimentos menores aos mencionados sem usar fertilizantes. [24][25][26][27][28][29][30] Na atualidade, não existem registros de dados relacionados aos custos de produção de lupino no âmbito mundial. Por esta razão, o valor associado à produção da oleaginosa pertence ao caso peruano e o preço final ao mercado equatoriano.…”