Nine SPG pulse research projects receive funding support

Contributed

On January 12, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) announced funding for nine pulse-specific research projects, co-funded through Saskatchewan's Agriculture Development Fund (ADF).

SPG’s total investment of over $1.2 million was leveraged through the ADF process for a total investment in pulse research and development of over $4.8 million. These research projects are over three to four years in duration and will involve peas, lentils, dry beans, chickpeas, and faba beans, and address breeding, root rots, pulse fertility, herbicide resistance, and fungicide use. A complete list of research projects, including researcher, and SPG’s investment can be seen below.

• Breeding Chickpea Cultivars for Western Canada (Bunyamin Tar’an, University of Saskatchewan) - $279,953;

• Dry Bean Breeding for Saskatchewan (Kirstin Bett, University of Saskatchewan) - $210,000;

• Breeding Pea for Root Rot Resistance (Tom Warkentin, University of Saskatchewan) - $188,052;

• Evaluation of New Products to Reduce Impacts of Aphanomyces Root Rot of Field Peas (Syama Chatterton, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) - $192,500;

• Impact of Herbicides, Moisture, and Fungicides on Ascochyta Blight of Chickpea (Michelle Hubbard, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) - $96,250;

• Fungicide Insensitivity in Colletotrichum lentis, the Causal Agent of Anthracnose of Lentil (Michelle Hubbard, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) - $61,666;

• Impact of Phosphorus Fertilizer Forms on Nutrition of Wheat, Pea, and Canola, Soil Fate, and Losses in Run-Off Water (Jeff Schoenau, University of Saskatchewan) - $57,020;

• Comparative Study of the Epidemiology of Difference Foliar Faba Bean Pathogens in Saskatchewan (Sabine Banniza, University of Saskatchewan) - $56,910;

• Understanding Auxinic Herbicide Resistance in Kochia and Staying Ahead of What’s Next (Charles Geddes, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) - $54,000. “SPG’s new research investments address the top priority issues for pulse producers, including support for pulse crop breeding at the Crop Development Centre,” says Brad Blackwell, SPG Chair. “We appreciate the continued support of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and look forward to the results of this important research to improve profitability and competitiveness of Saskatchewan producers.”

Other co-funders of projects funded by SPG include Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Alberta Pulse Growers, Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission, Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission, Alberta Wheat Commission, Manitoba Crop Alliance, and Western Grains Research Foundation.

The ADF is supported through the federal-provincial Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year, $388 million agreement between the federal and provincial governments to invest in strategic initiatives for Saskatchewan agriculture.

Accountable to and funded by growers, SPG’s strategic direction is guided by a nine member, grower-elected Board of Directors. SPG’s mission is to provide leadership for profitable growth for Saskatchewan pulses.