Effect of Bitter Lupin Extract on Growth and Yield of Different Crops

Abstract

Abstract Lupin extract is a mixture of alkaloids, mineral salts and carbohydrates taken out in mechanical debittering of lupines by a process developed by Mittex AG. The possibility of using this extract as growth regulator, sprayed in quantities up to 60 kg/ha, or as fertilizer, dosage up to 500 kg/ha, was studied. Two years (1985, 1986) experiments have shown that if factors like plant physiological stage, N fertilization, and weather were harmonized extract spraying worked as growth regulator yielding increases of 4, 8, 18 and 23% in winter wheat, maize, soybean and potatoes, respectively. Potato yield in organic farming was even increased up to 33%. Yield increases from 6 to 38% were also registered in carrots, onion and Chinese cabbage. Application of extract as fertilizer gave still higher increases reaching as high as 17, 43 and 57 % in winter wheat, maize and cabbage, respectively. 250 kg/ha soil application of extract reduced the N fertilizer input from 180 kg/ha to 90 kg/ha along with 20 % increase in chinese cabbage yield.