b'Red River Seeds and J.S. Henry & Son in Manitoba are multiplying Dieta. Boregine and Lunabor seed production is taking place at Galloway Seeds, Lindholm Seed Farm and Brian Ellis Seed in Alberta. Lupins journey in CanadaSweet lupin was first discussed about two decades ago in Alberta when researchers, agronomists and others looked at trying European varieties. A team at Alberta Agriculture deter-mined they could easily grow the crop in the province, but the lack of a market precluded much further study. With renewed interest in 2010, researchers began new investigations. Then, seven years later, increasing consumer interest in plant-based foods prompted another look at high-protein lupins. Limited studies ensued with Boregine.Since 2021, Robyne Bowness Davidson, who was at Alberta Agriculture and is now a pulse research scientist at Lakeland College in Lacombe, has led a three-year project studying vari- Lupin Platform staff from left: Alphonsus Utioh, Tuan Tony Le, Rani ous lupin production and agronomy challenges. These includeLorenzetti, Tristan Choi.broadleaf herbicide options, disease and insect control and the best way to achieve pre-harvest dry-down. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research scientistEXPLORING THE WORLD OF LUPINBreanne Tidemann is also evaluating herbicide options forDont confuse lupin with its poisonous ornamental cousin the lupins, with funding from Alberta Pulse Growers. This group isbluebonnet. Todays lupin varieties have relatively low levels of the also funding protein and starch research.alkaloids that are present in historic and wild lupin genotypes. These Lupin has great potential for protein fractionation for thevarieties were first discovered in Europe in the 1930s and were bred food market, says Bowness Davidson. But its also suitableinto whats properly referred to as sweet lupin. However, its also a for livestock feed and its mostly used for feed in Europe andcousin to peanuts and therefore may cause anaphylaxis in allergic Australia. Lupins are very exciting to me because they can beindividuals. grown in some areas of Western Canada where we cannot grow soybeans due to the climate. A Rich HistoryNorth American interest in lupin is slowly spreading beyondThe oldest lupin seeds were found in Egypt, dating back to the Canada. Bowness Davidson reports a small but notable flame22 ndcentury B.C. They spread to other areas of the Mediterranean of U.S. interest in sweet lupin, with several breeding companiesand beyond during the Roman empire. In North America and Latin making inquiries.America, lupin seeds were a common food in the time of the Incan Were making a lot of progress here that they can buildEmpire and were also consumed by Native American tribes such as on, but many areas where they grow soybeans wont be suitablethe Yavapai.because lupin doesnt like heat, she says.Lupin seeds are still eaten as a traditional pickled snack food in the Choi is collaborating with University of North DakotaMediterranean, Latin America and North Africa. scientists on a small lupin trial.In the 1930s, lower-alkaloid varieties appeared in Europe, allowing The flowers will abort (due to heat), and high alkaline soilsbreeders to make advances with sweet lupin and enabling large-result in total crop failure. So, theres potential in the U.S. butscale cultivation. only in select areas, Choi says. The results are not yet available.A staple and a delicacyBut while potential exists for lupin to become a more widelyUp until a few years ago, the vast majority of lupin grown worldwide grown crop in Canada and into the United States, Bownesswent to livestock feed. However, lupin use in food products is now Davidson stresses theres a lot of work left to be done.expanding due to strong demand for plant-based protein.We have some varieties doing very well but others not, sheToday, bakers and cooks in parts of Europe and Australia add lupin says. We must figure out weed management. Its the numberflour to baked goods, pancakes, and more. one constraint for yield. We dont have a lot of products at our JANUARY 2024GERMINATION.CA 43'