Program 2: Enhancing the agronomic and nutritive value of narrow-leafed lupin by reducing seed coat thickness and increasing protein content.

The Australian narrow-leafed lupin (NLL) is a vital pulse crop, serving as a cost-effective protein source for animal feed. NLLs are well adopted WA's climate and acidic soils, playing a pivotal role in crop rotations, enriching soil nitrogen and breaking disease cycles. With the growing demand for plant-based diets, NLL's high protein content, low starch, low fat, and low glycaemic index position them favourably for plant-based protein production. Despite their potential, only 4% of Australian NLLs are processed for human consumption. To seize these opportunities, addressing challenges like the thick seed coat, is crucial. This four-year investment seeks to identify NLL germplasms and gene targets associated with thinner seed coats, independent of grain size and yield, and not affecting protein levels. The ultimate aim is to offer growers higher-value lupin varieties, meeting industry standards for human food and maximising lupin utilisation in Australian farming systems, to capitalise on expanding food and protein markets.