In what is being billed as a “global first,” BASF Canada has announced its intention to develop a herbicide tolerant crop for Canadian lentil growers.
Clearfield lentils will be created and commercialized in partnership with the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre and Saskatchewan Pulse Growers.
Breeder seed of the crop, which is being developed using traditional plant breeding methods, should be available in 2006, followed by at least three years of seed reproduction.
“From a commercial perspective we’re still four to five years away from this tool being in growers’ hands,” said Garth Patterson, executive director of Saskatchewan Pulse Growers.
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When the herbicide tolerant crop is introduced, it should expand lentil acreage from the 1.3 million acres harvested this fall if the same market conditions are in place, said Patterson.
“For years growers have been expressing that they have limited broadleaf weed control options in lentils. Now with Clearfield lentil technology, that’s going to improve,” he said.
The new production system will be tolerant to Odyssey, a BASF broadleaf and grassy weed herbicide designed for all soil types in Western Canada.
“Clearfield lentils will create new opportunities in the lentil industry through improved broadleaf weed control and non-GMO breeding technology,” said Howie Zander, BASF’s Clearfield business manager.
Patterson said the technology will first be introduced in small green and red lentils, which are primarily grown in the dark brown and thin black soil zones.
It should give growers in those areas more seeding options, such as incorporating lentils into a rotation that includes Clearfield wheat and canola.
“It really opens things up,” he said.
If the crop performs as anticipated it should allow growers to be more efficient and to produce a cleaner product.
“It gives us the opportunity to displace others in international marketplaces,” said Patterson.
Before agreeing to proceed with the Clearfield project, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers conducted a market impact study that determined buyers had a “neutral to positive” response to the new production system.
“We wanted to be aware of what our major markets thought. That’s why we’re moving ahead with this because we don’t expect any negative impacts,” said Patterson.
Clearfield lentils will be made widely available to producers through Saskatchewan Pulse Growers’ variety release program.
