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By rdnewsNOW Staff

Reducing risk

Alberta Pulse Growers commits $3 million over five years to root rot research

Apr 9, 2023 | 8:00 AM

The Alberta Pulse Growers Commission (APG) approved an investment of $3 million over five years for research projects that reduce the risk of root rot.

APG officials say root rot continues to be a major issue for Alberta pea and lentil farmers.

“Research funded by this $3 million investment of grower dollars is expected to improve the bottom line for Alberta pulse farms,” said APG Chair Shane Strydhorst. “APG has invested in root rot research projects since the disease became an issue 10 years ago. This research resulted in more being known about the disease, but root rot remains a threat that we need to mitigate for our farmers.”

APG says they were first introduced to the pathogen Aphanomyces eutiches in 2013, adding it was immediately identified as a serious threat to pulse production. They say the discovery was a catalyst to research efforts aimed at managing this and other root diseases.

Over the last 10 years, APG states they have invested $3.7 million in projects relevant to root rots, including more than $2 million for projects directly aimed at root rots. They say significant effort has been made to understand the disease, correctly diagnose it and address the intricacies of the complex interaction between plant, pathogen and environment. Officials claim research has resulted in farmers having the knowledge to better assess the risk, but there haven’t been any significant breakthroughs for farmers who want to plant pulses for the crop’s economic and sustainability benefits.

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The $3 million being committing by APG over the next five years has the potential to be matched from other funding sources, officials note.

“A commitment of this magnitude signals to researchers and other funders that this is an area where they should focus more time and resources to reduce the risk of root rot,” said Strydhorst. “If scientists have ideas for potential projects, please talk to us. We want to hear your ideas on how to reduce the risk for Alberta pulse farmers.”

APG has also partnered with Saskatchewan Pulse Growers and Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers in a Pulse Root Rot Network. They say it provides more commitment to collaborative screening of projects and conjoining efforts to propel progress towards eradicating the disease.

The Alberta Pulse Growers Commission represents 5,400 growers of field pea, dry bean, lentil, chickpea, faba bean and soybean in Alberta.