Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) invested over $5 million into pulse research projects, through the recently announced Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (S-CAP) AgriScience Program – Clusters Component. This investment was leveraged to over $21 million of Government and other industry partner funding. 

Projects funded under this Pulse Cluster look to make advancements in critical areas to make growers more efficient and profitable and for the benefit of the pulse industry overall. 

SPG-Funded Projects Included in this Cluster Program 

Project: Development of improved pea cultivars to enhance Canada’s leading role in international pea markets 
Principal Investigator: Dr. Tom Warkentin, University of Saskatchewan 
Industry Funders: APG, SPG, MPSG 
Project Cost: $4,239,829 

Project: An integrated approach for accelerating genetic improvement of yield and agronomic characteristics of chickpea 
Principal Investigator: Dr. Bunyamin Tar’an, University of Saskatchewan 
Industry Funder: SPG 
Project Cost: $2,743,465 

Project: Accelerating solutions to root rot of pea and lentil using a multifaceted and integrative approach 
Principal Investigator: Dr. Syama Chatterton, AAFC 
Industry Funders: APG, SPG, MPSG 
Project Cost: $2,360,346 

Project: Large root systems in pulses for drought tolerance, carbon sequestration, and root rot resistance 
Principal Investigator: Maryse Bourgault, University of Saskatchewan 
Industry Funders: APG, SPG 
Project Cost: $1,613,690  

Project: Breed for top-performing field pea varieties and develop SNP-based markers for marker-assisted selection for grain and protein yield, maturity, standability, and seed size 
Principal Investigator: Dr. Dengjin Bing, AAFC 
Industry Funders: APG, SPG, MPSG 
Project Cost: $1,283,599 

Project: Phenotyping pulse crops for improved performance under climate change 
Principal Investigator: Dr. Steve Shirtliffe, University of Saskatchewan 
Industry Funder: SPG 
Project Cost: $1,226,793 

Project: Selection of early-maturing dry bean germplasm and cultivars for sustainability and improved productivity under irrigation 
Principal Investigator: Dr. Parthiba Balasubramanian, AAFC
Industry Funders: APG, SPG 
Project Cost: $1,225,495 

Project: Identifying potential resistance to pea aphids and aphid-transmitted viruses in lentil 
Principal Investigator: Dr. Sean Prager, University of Saskatchewan 
Industry Funder: SPG 
Project Cost: $651,650 

Project: Diversity set for genomic improvement of faba bean 
Principal Investigator: Dr. Nicholas Larkan, AAFC 
Industry Funders: APG, SPG, MPSG 
Project Cost: $636,415 

Other Projects Included in this Cluster Program 

Project: The AGGI project: accelerated genetic gain and improvement 
Principal Investigator: Valerio Hoyos-Villegas, McGill University 
Industry Funders: OBG, MPSG 
Project Cost: $2,211,537 

Project: The interaction of climate change with pest management and fertility in dry bean 
Principal Investigator: Chris Gillard, University of Guelph 
Industry Funder: OBG 
Project Cost: $850,300

Project: Towards a better understanding of dry bean root rot and soybean cyst nematode management 
Principal Investigator: Dr. Owen Wally, AAFC 
Industry Funders: MPSG, OGB 
Project Cost: $592,496 

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