Effect of sowing time on the development, yield and yield components of some cultivars of Lupinus angustifolius and Lupinus luteus in northern Tasmania

Abstract

Experiments to examine the effect of sowing time on the lupin cultivars Uniwhite, Uniharvest and Unicrop (L. angustifolius) and Weiko Ill (L. luteus) were sown in northern Tasmania in 1973 and 1974. The best yields resulted from autumn sowings in 1974 (3.7 t ha- 1) and from winter and spring sowings in 1973 (3.5 and 3.3 t ha-1, respectively). The results indicate that acceptable yields can be obtained from both autumn and early spring sowings. In addition, a number of factors are discussed that suggest spring sowing is safer and better suited to the cropping system. Yield differences between Uniwhite, Uniharvest and Unicrop were small for sowings between May and September, but Unicrop yielded better with later sowing. The yield of Weiko IIIwas poorer than the other cultivars except after very late sowing. Uniwhite and Uniharvest failed to mature when sown after late October.