Phenological development studies with Lupinus angustifolius and L. albus in Victoria

Abstract

The effect of serial planting on the phenological development of Lupinus angustifolius (cvv. Uniwhite, Uniharvest and Unicrop) and L. albus (cv. Ultra) was investigated in field plots at north-eastern Victoria. In 1973, Uniwhite was sown at 16 weekly intervals from May to September at one site: in 1974 Uniharvest, Unicrop and Ultra were planted at four locations, from early April to late September. Duration of the developmental phases-emergence to floral initiation, initiation to first flower, and first flower to last flower-was related to field measurements of temperature, photoperiod, and global radiation. Development of all cultivars from emergence to flowering was highly correlated with temperature and photoperiod (coefficients of determination from 49.5 per cent to 98.5 per cent). Our results suggested that photoperiod contributed to the duration of the flowering period. Unicrop and Ultra were quicker to initiate and flower than Uniharvest and Uniwhite, particularly from early plantings. Later planting reduced the duration of the post-initiation phases, particularly duration of flowering. The range of developmental adaptability exhibited by the four cultivars indicates that lupins could be grown over a large area of Victoria.