Biplot analysis of trait relations of white lupin in Spain

A 2-year study of autumn-sown white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) was conducted under rainfed Mediterranean conditions in southern Spain. 108 landraces were evaluated for yield and major phonological and plant structural characteristics. Path coefficient and Genotype-Trait (GT) biplot analysis were used. Applying both types of analyses to the multiple trait data revealed that GT biplot graphically displayed the interrelationships among traits and facilitated visual comparison of accessions and selection. Wide variation was observed for trait phenology (dates of flowering and maturity), plant structure (plant and first order inflorescence height) and yield characters (first order branches, first order inflorescence and total yield). It was found that the accessions with the highest yields were the tallest and the latest to flower, both on the mainstem and on the lowest first order branch, and also were the latest to mature. GT biplots also had suggested as the accessions have been displayed according to their origins. The results showed that foreign germplasm may be an important material for improving some yield components such as number of pods and seeds per plant of locally adapted lupins in Spain. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.