The new Bio Suisse feeding guidelines from 2020 have led to an increase in demand for domestic organic protein suppliers. After soybeans, lupins provide the highest quality protein feed. They can be fed without heat treatment and are not tied to favourable climatic conditions. They are in demand from feed mills and are also promoted by Bio Suisse because of their ecological advantages (nitrogen fixation, deep roots, abundance of flowers). Furthermore, they are also becoming increasingly interesting for human consumption.
At present, almost only the blue (narrow-leaved) lupin is cultivated on a small area. New European varieties (e.g. "Carabor") are to be tested in Feldbach by "Getreidezüchtung Peter Kunz (gzpk)" in pure stand and mixed cropping and compared with the known varieties for weed suppression, yield, lodging resistance, early maturity and pod shattering resistance. White lupin has a higher yield potential, but cannot yet be recommended for cultivation due to its high susceptibility to the fungal disease anthracnose (pathogen: Colletotrichum lupini). New, more tolerant varieties from Germany ("Frieda", "Celina") are to be tested in comparison with known varieties and with the first breeding strains from FiBL lupin breeding as well as selections from genetic resources.
We are planning a variety trial in small plots at two locations, in the Upper Rhine Valley and in Feldbach, as well as joint field days and public relations work by FiBL and gzpk.
Project coordination, Management of field trials in the High Rhine Valley
