Characteristics
- Annual
- Leaves: digitate, sparsely hairy
- Height: 60-100 cm
- Flowers: clusters
- Root: white, deep, strong taproot with nodules
- Very strong, extensive root system
- Blue (narrow-leafed) lupin is the preferred catch crop variety
- No mycorrhization!
Environmental needs
- Blue (narrow-leafed) lupin prefers fresh, less acidic soils
- Loamy sand, sandy loam
- Requires lots of water to trigger germination - only germinates in the right weather conditions
- Moderately warm climate
- Roots are able to utilise low soil moisture
- Sensitive to dry conditions in late summer
- Dies off at temperatures below -4 to -6 °C
Use
- Blue (narrow-leafed) lupin contains bitter substances and is mainly used as green manure
- Yellow and blue lupins improve soil structure and are considered pioneer plants
Green manure
- Roots penetrate soil deeply
- Nitrogen-fixing
- Plenty of green manure mass that dies off in winter (harvest residue: 16-20 quintals DM/ha)
- Roots improve soil both biologically and mechanically
- Roots penetrate compacted soil layers
- Valuable precrop
- Very good bee pasture
