Thursday, November 8, 2007 - 9:00 AM
334-3

White Lupin as a Vegetable Crop: Characterization of Green Pods and Immature Seeds.

Harbans Bhardwaj1, Anwar Hamama1, Steven Noffsinger2, and Edzard van Santen3. (1) PO Box 9061, Virginia State University, Virginia State University, Agricultural Research Station, Petersburg, VA 23806, (2) Auburn University, Agronomy & Soils Dept., 202 Funchess Hall Auburn Univ., Auburn, AL 36849-5412, (3) 202 Funchess Hall, Auburn University, Auburn University, Dept. of Agronomy & Soils, Auburn, AL 36849-5412

We are conducting research with white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) to develop it as a food/feed grain crop in addition to its use a green manure crop. White lupin may also have potential to provide immature seeds for human consumption. However, there is a lack of information about traits of green pods and immature seeds. We evaluated 20 lines in replicated experiments at two locations in Virginia (Petersburg and Suffolk) during 2005-06 crop season. Green pods were harvested from 1 m row length in each of four replications before maturity. Significant variation existed among lines and locations for all traits except between locations for number of pods/ha. The results indicated that mean pod yield varied from 13.1 to 39.2 with a mean of 28.9 Mg/ha, number of pods/ha varied from 2.4 to 6.4 with a mean of 4.7 million, number of seeds/pod varied from 3.4 to 4.7 with a mean of 4.3, shelling percentage varied from 18.7 to 26.9 with a mean of 23.3, protein concentration varied from 30.4 to 34.9 with a mean of 33.2 percent (Dry weight basis), Fe concentration varied from 55.3 to 67.5 with a mean of 62.8 mg/kg, and Zn concentration varied from 60.7 to 84.0 with a mean of 72 mg/kg. The protein, Fe, and Zn concentrations in lima beans have been reported to be 7 percent, 31.4 mg/kg, and 7.8 mg/kg, respectively and those in immature soybean seeds have been reported to be 13 percent, 35.5 mg/kg, and 9.9 mg/kg, respectively. Details of these and other results will be presented and discussed..