Testing albus lupins for bitter seeds

The success of the Australian albus lupin (Lupinus albus) industry depends on the ability to supply 100% sweet seed. Sweet seed has low alkaloid content.

If bitter-contaminated seed lots are sown, contamination will increase with each generation. This is due to albus crops being able to cross-pollinate and the bitter plants producing more seeds.

It is important that the whole albus industry adopt an alkaloid management strategy, so that any contaminated crops are removed and do not compromise the efforts of neighbours and the industry as a whole.

The level of contamination must be measured in all albus seed lots destined for sowing. This is achieved through the use of a quick test using an ultraviolet (UV) lamp, which causes any bitter seeds to fluoresce pink.