Expanding phenological diversity in narrow-leafed lupin using novel flowering time genes

Australian narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) is a broad-acre grain legume crop and important component of Western Australia's acid sandy soil cropping systems. Historically, lupin cultivars bred in Australia have focused on earlier flowering, which has led to very limited genetic diversity for flowering time. Current lupin varieties are not well adapted to early sowing and not suitable for longer growing seasons in higher rainfall zones. This project will enhance the phenological diversity of lupins by introducing a new flowering time gene from wild lupin into commercially cultivated lupins. This process will involve the development of advanced pre-breeding germplasm that carries the newly introduced flowering time genes, which will subsequently be made available to Australian lupin breeding programs. This will provide Australian lupin growers with access to mid-season lupin varieties with better adaptation to early sowing and higher rainfall zones, improved harvest height and greater yield potential.