International Lupin Association holds 11th meeting in Mexico
The International Lupin Association has just held its 11th meeting in Guadalajara, Mexico on 4–9 May 2005. The meeting was hosted on behalf of the Association by the Centro Universitario de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias of the Universidad de Guadalajara.
Papers presented at the lupin conference vary with the different nations hosting the conference. At this meeting a number of papers were presented on a range of wild lupin species from Mexico, which are currently under investigation for their potential.
The advantage of the addition of lupin kernel fibre in the human diet, indicated at the 10th meeting in Iceland was reinforced by a paper from Australia. Other papers in a session on ‘Lupins and health’ also dealt with the advantages of eating lupin seed.
The disease anthracnose (Colletotrichum lupini) is still a major problem engaging the attention of plant pathologists and breeders. In some parts of the world lupins are now more interesting because of their potential for sustainable and organic farming systems. Lupin breeding currently appears to be concentrating on improved disease resistance. However, workers in Portugal are looking at selections in Lupinus cosentinii, which is naturalised in south-western Australia, for more extensive use under Mediterranean conditions.
The conference was not all work and before it ended delegates were taken to the town of Tequila where they were instructed on the finer points of Tequila making and drinking.
There is a large poultry industry located near the city of Guadalajara, which currently relies on imported soyabean meal as a major protein supplement. Growing lupin seed has the potential to provide a locally produced protein source for poultry rations.
At the International Lupin Association General Assembly, held during the Conference it wad decided that in 2008 the 12th meeting of the Association would be held in Western Australia, the world’s largest producer of lupins. By that time it will be 22 years since the Association met in 1986 in Geraldton.
Source: G. D. Hill, Lincoln University, New Zealand. Email:
hill1@lincoln.ac.nz
