Data -The potential of alternative seed treatments to control anthracnose disease in white lupin

White lupin (Lupinus albus L.) is a promising crop to meet the rising global demand for plant-based protein. The<br> seed-borne pathogen Colletotrichum lupini, however, threatens lupin cultivation worldwide. Seed dressings using<br> synthetic fungicides were shown effective to reduce infection levels, but their negative environmental impact and<br> exclusion from organic production calls for more sustainable solutions. In this study, a total of eleven different<br> alternative seed treatments were tested in field trials in Switzerland between 2018 and 2021. Treatment types<br> consisted of: hot water, steam, electron, long-term storage, elevated partial pressure of oxygen (EPPO), vinegar,<br> plant extracts and biological control agents (BCAs). The BCAs were tested for potential antagonistic activity<br> against C. lupini during white lupin infection under controlled conditions prior to field trials. Long-term storage<br> and vinegar treatments successfully reduced disease incidence and increased yield to levels similar to those<br> observed for certified seeds, without significantly affecting germination rate. Although promising, effectiveness<br> of these treatments needs further validation. Four BCAs showed significant disease reductions under controlled<br> conditions. Besides lowering disease severity, two BCAs also reduced C. lupini DNA in stem tissue. These reductions,<br> however, were not observed in the field, highlighting the importance of field validations. The treatments<br> identified in this study provide a solid basis for the development of sustainable and effective seed<br> protection strategies in white lupin to control C. lupini successfully.