Amira: an anthracnose resistant albus lupin for Western Australia

Key features

• Anthracnose resistant albus lupin variety for Western Australia.
• Mid flowering, similar to Kiev Mutant and earlier than Andromeda.
• Matures about a week later than Kiev Mutant.
• Greater than 20% higher yielding than Andromeda.
• Moderately resistant (MR) to anthracnose, significantly better than Andromeda.
• Similar grain size and quality to Andromeda and Kiev Mutant.
• May require fungicide protection in high rainfall areas with high risk of anthracnose infection.

Breeding

Amira (tested as WALAB2014) was bred by Dr Kedar Adhikari at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development in partnership with the Council of Grain Grower Organisations Limited. It was derived from a cross between Kiev Mutant and a WA bred anthracnose resistant line 98B001-5-6. It has the good agronomic traits of Kiev Mutant and the anthracnose resistance of the other parent.

Agronomic characteristics and disease resistance

Amira is an early flowering and medium height variety with significantly higher yield and anthracnose resistance than Andromeda.

MR = moderately resistant, MS = moderately susceptible, S = susceptible

Area of adaptation

Amira is relatively early flowering and produces high yield in similar areas to where Kiev Mutant was popular before the outbreak of anthracnose. Amira is best suited to the medium rainfall areas of the northern wheatbelt of WA where anthracnose pressure is not high. Its level of anthracnose resistance is not high enough for the wetter coastal locations, such as the Chapman Valley and New South Wales without fungicide protection.

Yield

Amira has consistently yielded higher than Andromeda in the northern agriculture region of WA and is suggested as a replacement for Andromeda.