Lupine, which replaces soybeans, is being bred in Ukraine
A new variety of white lupine has been submitted for state variety testing. It is unique in that it is alkaloid-free, that is, it can be used in the food industry and become a soybean substitute.
Oksana Puznyak, deputy director for scientific work of the Volyn State Agricultural Experimental Station of the Institute of Potato Growing of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, told the GIT TV channel about this.
According to her, this variety was identified as a result of the dominance of yellow lupine varieties. Its main value is that it is non-transgenic, which means that it is not harmful either to humans or to animals.
“We made a species crossing and, accordingly, got this white lupine. We will see how it will work in Ukraine, how it will give its indicators. Hopefully there will be a new white alkaloid-free lupine to replace soy in the food industry. And I guarantee that it will not be worse than soybeans,” added Oksana Puznyak.
She clarified that the Volhynians are the originators of the yellow varieties of this plant and remain the only ones in Ukraine who are engaged in precisely alkaloid-free lupine, which is suitable as a green manure culture, and for feeding to animals.
According to Oksana Puznyak, in recent years, yellow lupine has been in great demand, because it is exported, where it is used as soy in the food industry.