Detecting Phenotypic Variability in Lupinus angustifolius Through Ecogeographic Land Characterization

Germplasm banks hold substantial potential across numerous branches of life sciences. However, this potential remains underutilized, partly due to the limited and incomplete characterization of the accessions. To address this issue, we propose the use of Ecogeographical Land Characterization (ELC) maps as a tool for classifying accessions into distinct ecological regions, thereby simplifying the characterization process. To test this approach, we collected Lupinus angustifolius seeds from multiple locations across the Iberian Peninsula, guided by a previously developed ELC map. Our results suggest that ELC maps effectively condense the Iberian landscape while capturing a moderate proportion of the species phenotypic variation. Overall, this approach offers a promising avenue to optimize germplasm conservation strategies while balancing resource limitations.