Clara Lizarazo

Nutritive quality and protein production from grain legumes in a boreal climate.

BACKGROUND Boreal cropping systems are heavily focused on the production of small-grain cereals; to improve their resilience to climate change and to achieve food and feed security, diversification is needed. This study investigated the potential of faba bean, narrow-leafed lupin and lentil as protein crops in southern Finland, where faba bean is traditional but the other two are novel. RESULTS Early cultivars of narrow-leafed lupin and lentil matured adequately. Protein concentration in faba bean was, at 32%, higher than the world average of 29%, while those of narrow-leafed lupin and lentil were close to their world averages. Protein yields decreased in the order faba bean > narrow-leafed lupin > lentil. Lipid content of faba bean and lentil was about 1.2% and that of narrow-leafed lupin about 5.5%, and fatty acid composition was largely oleic and linoleic in all three species. CONCLUSION Both lentil and narrow-leafed lupin can be added to the range of feed and food crops produced at high latitudes in Europe. While faba bean produces the greatest protein yield and lysine concentration, the higher sulfur amino acid concentration in lupin, its oil content and its adaptation to acid, sandy soils not suitable for faba bean make it an attractive alternative.

Pre-crop effects on the nutrient composition and utilization efficiency of faba bean ( Vicia faba L.) and narrow-leafed lupin ( Lupinus angustifolius L.)

Legumes are key components of cropping systems due to their biological nitrogen fixation ability. The beneficial role of legumes as pre-crops for cereals in cereal-based rotations is well studied, but the evaluation of pre-crops for legumes is not. This study aims to identify which is the best pre-crop for faba bean and narrow-leafed lupin by comparing various nutrient utilization indices for 11 elements. The elemental composition of the two grain legumes was significantly different. There was a significant and positive pre-crop effect of barley, and to a lesser extent oat, on the nutrient composition and indices of both grain legumes, but not on their yield and protein concentration. Barley as a pre-crop was associated with higher concentrations of Mg, Mn and Zn in narrow-leafed lupin seeds and of S in faba bean seeds. Principal component analysis demonstrated similarities in the nutrient uptake of both legumes, and also revealed a consistent association between Fe and Si in narrow-leafed lupin. Use of different nutrient utilization indices allows the detection of pre-crop effects in rotations and the assessment of nutrient cycling of different crop sequences. The mineral utilization index was particularly informative. Attention to the appropriate pre-crop can further increase the sustainability of legume-supported cropping systems.