Back to Main $14million Funding Boost To WA Lupin Research

• Published: 2009-09-11 14:34:06

  The future of the Department of Agriculture and Food’s internationally renowned lupin breeding program has been assured by new five-year, $14million funding.

   

  Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman said the State Government would contribute $9million and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) $5million.

   

  Mr Redman said the department’s lupin breeding program had for the past 30 years developed varieties tailored to Western Australian conditions.

   

  “Since its inception, the program has developed new varieties that have increased lupin yields by two per cent each year. This rates highly against international plant breeding programs,” he said.

   

  “Lupins are an important legume in WA farming systems and this funding will ensure its breeding program continues to develop new and improved varieties to meet market demands.”

   

  The program aimed to develop new lines that yield well but have good resistance to diseases and compete with weeds.

   

  Department of Agriculture and Food leading researcher Dr Bevan Buirchell said three new lupin varieties were nearing commercial release in the next two years.

   

  “Our aim is to develop both short and long season varieties with good disease resistance and vigour to compete with weeds so that farmers throughout the State have a choice of locally adapted lines,” Dr Buirchell said.

   

  “The team is working on developing a new variety to replace Tanjil for the Geraldton region, an area with a high risk of the disease anthracnose. We are also working on a higher yielding replacement for Mandelup and another high yielding, high protein variety to replace Coromup.”

   

  GRDC Western Panel chairman Neil Young said the research recognised the need for breeding lines to meet growers’ needs and market requirements.

   

  “Weed and market issues have led to lupins falling out of the rotation in recent years and the GRDC is keen to do whatever it takes to increase the yield, profitability and adaptability of lupins in Australian cropping systems,” Mr Young said.

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  Supplied by Department Of Agriculture And Food WA