January 11, 2022 (Saskatoon, SK) – Today Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) announced funding for 11 pulse-specific research projects, co-funded through Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF).
SPG’s total investment of over $1.8 million was leveraged through the ADF process for a total investment in pulse research and development of over $2.7 million. These research projects are over two to four years in duration and will involve peas, lentils, fenugreek, chickpeas, and faba beans, and address breeding, root rots, pulse fertility, herbicide resistance, insect control, and fungicide use. A complete list of projects, including researchers and SPG’s investment, can be seen below.
- Investigating Potential Threats and Detection of Plant Viruses in Pulse Crops (Dr. Sean Prager, University of Saskatchewan) – $69,000
- Developing Tools for Management of Lygus Bugs in Faba Bean (Dr. Sean Prager, University of Saskatchewan) – $56,063
- When Does it Pay to Apply Fungicide to Faba beans in Saskatchewan and What Does the Weather Have to Do With It? (Brianne McInnes, Northeast Agriculture Research Foundation) – $31,050
- Crop Rotations and Yield: Predictive Modelling to Inform Producer Decisions and Improve Profits (Dr. Peter Slade, University of Saskatchewan) – $242,000
- Improving Chickpea, Mustard, and Durum Yield, Crop Health, and Soil Fertility with Potassium Chloride Fertilizer (Dr. Jeff Schoeneu, University of Saskatchewan) – $28,750
- Alternate Analytical Methods for Evaluating Environment-Specific Varietal Performance of Various Crops in Saskatchewan (Christiane Catellier, Indian Head Agricultural Research Foundation) – $10,206
- Development of a Plant-Based Scrambled Egg Replacer through Improved Gelation of Pulse Protein Isolates (Dr. Michael Nickerson, University of Saskatchewan) – $48,999
- Integrated and Innovative Strategies to Build a Foundation to Mitigate the Root Rot Threat in Pea (Dr. Syama Chatterton, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) – $176,503
- Association Mapping of Aphanomyces Root Rot Resistance in a Pea Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) Panel (Dr. Tom Warkentin, University of Saskatchewan) – $56,991
- Identification of Small Molecules that Interrupt the Life Cycle of Pathogens Causing Clubroot in Canola and Root Rot in Pea (Dr. John Stavrinides, University of Regina) – $72,910
- Evaluating Rhizobial Inoculants for Saskatchewan Fenugreek Production (Dr. Dave Greenshields, Insight Plant Health Corp.) – $90,000
“The continued support of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture is greatly appreciated,” says Shaun Dyrland, SPG Board Chair. “The funding supports SPG’s new research investments that work to address top concerns, and improve profitability and competitiveness of Saskatchewan pulse producers.”
Other co-funders of projects funded by SPG include Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission, Mustard 21, Alberta Wheat Commission, and Western Grains Research Foundation. The ADF is supported through the federal-provincial Canadian Agricultural Partnership, 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.
For more information, please contact:
Amanda Carlson
Communications Manager
Saskatchewan Pulse Growers
Phone: 306-668-0116
Email: acarlson@saskpulse.com
Amber Johnson
Director of Marketing and Communications
Saskatchewan Pulse Growers
Phone: 306-668-3668
Email: ajohnson@saskpulse.com