Organic farming: Lupine put to the test

Lupins, beans and chickpeas in organic quality from the region: What is still rare in our fields, the Bavarian State Institute for Agriculture tries to make future-proof in field tests.

A test farm that researches the ecological cultivation of protein-rich lupins is in Puch.

A visit as part of the eco field day.

Puch -

Normally, organic farmers, conventional farmers and those who are considering switching to organic can find out about the trials in the field at the annual organic field day of the State Institute for Agriculture (LfL).

Because of the corona pandemic, the LfL offered its field tests this time as a self-guided information trail.

There is a board with a QR code on each field.

If you scan this with your smartphone, you get information about white and blue lupine, peas, broad beans and grain.

Focus on protein sources

"In the experiments we concentrate on important protein sources," says LfL President Stephan Sedlmayer during a tour of the field. With the ecological cultivation of the lupins in the Bruck district of Puch and an experiment with chickpeas in Landsberg, the aim is to “create challenges and opportunities”. Hubert Heigl, Chairman of the State Association for Organic Farming in Bavaria (LVÖ), adds: "We need more alternatives among organic arable crops." The cultivation of the lupine bean in Puch, as well as the attempts at fertilization, tillage or crop rotation are a step in the right direction.

In addition to the variety tests on field peas, field beans, lupine and chickpeas, production tests are also being carried out, explains Klaus Wiesinger, coordinator of LfL organic farming.

"One example here is the control of the bean beetle." This takes place in an ecological context.

For example, attempts are being made to curb the spread of the beetle by using the camp wasp as an alternative to environmentally hostile chemical agents.

"So far, however, the success has been very low," says Peer Urbatzka, head of the LfL crop production work group.

On-site training

At the Office for Food, Agriculture and Forests Fürstenfeldbruck (AELF), which is located near the test fields, the facilities are used for training and further education.

"We also go out into the fields and work so practically," says Marianne Heidner, deputy head of the authorities and head of agriculture.

For example, commercial chefs could take part in a training course, explains Heidner.

Then they see how an organic legume grows.

+

The white lupine grows on a trial field in Puch.

Peer Urbatzka, head of the crop production working group at the State Institute for Agriculture (2nd from left) explains (from left) Klaus Wiesinger, Marianne Heidner, LfL President Stephan Sedlmayer, Hubert Heigl and Upper Bavaria's Bavarian Association Chief Ralf Huber the background to the field trials. 

© Weber

As head of the LfL crop production working group, Peer Urbatzka is close to the research on the test fields.

“This is a total failure,” he says, pointing to a plot of land on which the white lupine grows.

The arable crops are covered with brown spots from the plant disease anthracnose.

Organic farmer Ralf Huber, District President of the Bavarian Farmers' Association in Upper Bavaria, knows this picture from personal experience: "I once grew lupins 30 years ago," he remembers.

"That's exactly how it looked to me."

A few fields further the blue lupine is in full bloom with no recognizable diseases.

However, this is not always blue, as one might assume because of the name, explains Huber.

"The only difference between the white and the blue lupine is the size of the leaves," says the expert.

The chairman of the farmers' association supports the organic experiments in Puch. "The LfL has reacted," says Huber with a view of the white-green glowing lupine fields. "It is very important that you do this research." Huber's message for the future: "I recommend everyone to keep organic farming with them in research."