Pulse crops to benefit from $21-million R&D program

Saskatchewan's pulse crop industry is providing core funding to help launch a $21-million, 15-year R&D agreement to support development of existing and new varieties. The agreement between the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers association and the Univ of Saskatchewan's Crop Development Centre follows a recent announcement of $3 million to establish a new laboratory at the U of S's crop science field laboratory (R$, November 25/05). The research program will focus on existing pulse crops (peas, beans, lentils, chick peas, etc) as well as new varieties (soybeans, fababeans).