lupine, blue

About the crop

Deep root system is sensitive to waterlogging; planting in poorly
drained soils can cause root rot and loss of stand.  No P or K
should be needed when lupines are grown as cover or green manure.

     Properly inoculated lupines can fix up to 70 lbs. N/A. Large
seed size may limit seeding rate.  Poor competitor with weeds.
Susceptible to root rot fungi (Fusarium and Rhizoctonia),
especially on heavier, poorly drained soils. Also susceptible to
damage from seed corn maggot, potato leafhopper and tarnished plant
bug. However, weeds, diseases and insects should not be a concern
for fall-sown lupine covers (Northeast).

Seeding and management

As cover crop, lupines probably would be best seeded at
14,500-22,000 plants/A with 40-50 lbs. of oats/A in early Aug.
(Northeast).  However, more research is needed on lupine seeding
rates for cover crop mixtures. Blue lupine may require lower
seeding rate than white lupine to produce adequate biomass.

     For seed harvest, recommended population is 260,000 seeds/A
planted in 6- to 10-inch rows (plant early Apr. in southern New
England and up until early May in northern New England).

     Can be seeded into relatively rough seedbed provided seed
depth is between 3/4 and 1 3/4 inches with good seed-soil contact.
No-till seedings are possible in previously cropped fields, but
adequate depth and seed-soil contact still are important.

     If planted in late summer or in fall, lupines will continue
growing until killed by frost (Northeast). When planted in early
spring, they may provide plowdown N by Memorial Day for a
summer-annual cash crop in Northeast.