Lupini bean - a bitter contamination risk for sweet albus lupins

Summary

Most of the albus lupins grown in Australia contain low levels of seed alkaloids and are said to be ‘sweet tasting’. High-alkaloid types are said to be ‘bitter tasting’.

Large-seeded, bitter albus lupin (also known as ‘lupini bean’) and bitter forage albus have the potential to contaminate sweet crops via pollen transfer (outcrossing) and admixture.

Bitter contamination of sweet albus is irreversible, and contaminated seed must be replaced for sowing. Bitter contamination of sweet crops may compromise markets and may lead to rejection of deliveries.