Abstract

Thinner pod walls might contribute to increased yield potential and adaptation of lupins. Fourteen autumn-sown genotypes of Lupinus albus L. were evaluated over 2 years at four sites in southern Chile. Pod wall proportion (PWP), pod wall specific weight (WSW) and five other pod-related characters were measured to estimate their genetic variation, heritability across years and sites, and genotypic and phenotypic correlations among the characters. Ranges for PWP and pod WSW were 22.9-43.1% and 16.4-37.4 mg/cm2, respectively. PWP in cultivated L. albus was similar to that reported in L. angustifolius; however, specific weight was substantially lower. Highly significant genotypic effects were found for both characters. Broad sense heritabilities were high for PWP (0.63) and moderate for pod WSW (0.46). These characters were significantly correlated, more so genotypically (rg = 0.67) than phenotypically (rph = 0.36). Selection for low PWP should lead to lower pod wall thickness or density, both of which contribute to pod WSW. Nevertheless, selection for pod WSW could achieve further reductions, particularly if practised among low PWP materials. © 2006 Blackwell Verlag.