Pulse crop development has moved at breakneck pace compared to many other field crops.
New pulse varieties are released each year and prairie farmers have been quick to put them into crop rotations.
New for 1998 is an Eston type of lentil from the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre. CDC Milestone, an ascochyta resistant version, is predicted to replace nearly all traditional Eston acreage within two years, officials say.
Some breeder seed will be released this spring of a new CDC Richlea type of lentil under the name 638-23. This lentil has a larger seed than Eston type varieties so it takes longer to increase seed stock. By 2000 there may be enough seed to replace all CDC Richlea, but producers could see small amounts next year.
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Large seed size will also delay 578-28, a replacement for Laird, until 2002. The new variety is ascochyta resistant and limited breeder seed will be available this spring.
Higher yielding CDC Redwing lentil varieties, with their red cotyledons, will be available as breeder seed in the spring of 1999.
Three new ascochyta resistant chickpea varieties will be released to select growers this season. CDC Yuma, a large seeded kabuli variety with relatively early maturity, will be released in larger quantity than last year and should be available to commercial growers in 1999.
Chico, with a large seed size similar to Dwelley, will be released for select growers in Saskatchewan this year. The new variety matured six days earlier than Dwelley in 1997 trials. It may be available commercially in 2000.
Another chickpea variety known as 92015-15K, boasting a traditional kabuli shape but smaller seed size and earlier maturity, will be in the hands of select growers this season as well.
Up to seven dry bean releases, five of them from the Crop Development Centre, can be expected to see a review this spring. A pinto, great northern and a pink bean are headed for registration in March. Agriculture Canada at Lethbridge will likely register a pink, L94C356, and a small red bean, L94D186, to seed growers this year.
Development in peas continues, but new products are few for 1998. CDC Peko, a yellow pea of smaller that average seed size, will reach the foundation seed market this spring.
