Creation of the lupine supply chain with innovative varieties free from bitter alkaloids, in organic agricultural systems to support Sicilian animal husbandry
The project goal is to introduce innovative lupin genotypes (narrow leaf and white ones), bitter alkaloids free, in organic Sicilian agricultural systems as animal feed. The high protein content and the adaptability to be grown under organic agricultural systems, make this legume particularly suitable to be a protein source in beef and pigs feeding and to increase soil fertility and the competitiveness of organic farms.
"The project envisages the creation of a supply chain that connects: producers, processors, breeders; in order to introduce innovative genotypes of very sweet blue and white lupine (free from bitter quinolizidine alkaloids) in Sicilian herbaceous cultivation systems in organic farming to be used for feeding Sicilian cattle and black pigs. The main expected results are:
- the introduction and dissemination of innovative varieties of white and blue lupine;
- the development of a low-input cultivation protocol with economic and environmental benefits;
- the promotion of this legume, to replace other protein crops such as soy."
The innovation to be introduced in agricultural-livestock farms is part of the process innovations and concerns the inclusion of new varieties of very sweet white lupine and blue lupine, i.e. free from bitter alkaloids, in Sicilian organic farming systems to support animal husbandry from meat. The recent selection, by genetic research, of innovative genotypes of blue and white lupine, the availability of adequate quantities of seeds already present on the market, as well as the experience gained and the agronomic and qualitative results obtained at the CREA - Centro di Research on Cereal and Industrial Crops of Acireale (CT) on these two minor grain legumes, open up new possibilities and prospects for the use of this legume which has always been considered "minor", filling one of the thorniest problems facing Sicilian organic farmers, the substitution of soy in diets.
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