Breeding for Mixed Cropping and Anthracnose Resistance of Lupins

Introduction In Switzerland, the organic sector has been trying to reduce the massive import of protein crops for feed by encouraging grain legume cultivation during the past years (Clerc et al, 2015). The main limiting factors of low yield stability and high weed pressure were successfully overcome through intercropping of peas and faba beans with barley and oats, respectively. Thus, the production of peas and faba beans grew continuously from 2010 to 2015 from 200t and 90t to 1170t and 560t, respectively (bioaktuell 2017). For more diversification of domestic grain legume cultivation and supply, FiBL has started field trials with blue (Lupinus angustifolius) and white lupins (L. albus) in 2014. The high risk of anthracnose, caused by the fungal agent Colletotrichum lupini, (Bondar) Damm, P.F. Cannon & Crous (Damm et al. 2012), is presently preventing white lupin cultivation in Switzerland, although organic feed mills are highly interested in domestically grown lots of this valuable plant protein source for food and feed. The objectives of the study were (i) identification of suitable crossing partners for blue and white lupins, (ii) suitability of cultivars and breeding lines of blue and white lupin under organic growing conditions in Switzerland in mixed cropping systems, (iii) identification of genetic resources of white lupins with partial resistance against anthracnose, and (iv) development of a composite cross population and prebreeding material of white lupins with improved resistance