Pulse Crops
Project Directors: Audrey Kalil — North Dakota State University
Pulse crops (dry edible pea, lentil, chickpea and dry bean) are healthful food choices that are also vital components of cropping systems in the North Central region. Pulses are high-value crops that require little to no additional nitrogen fertilization due to biological nitrogen fixation, and they also provide a nitrogen credit to the following crop. Dry edible pea, chickpea and lentil require little moisture and are well suited to semi-arid, reduced-tillage systems. The addition of pulse crops into traditional wheat-fallow cropping systems has been an economic boon to rural communities. However, while pulses break up disease cycles in small grains in the rotation, these crops have their own challenging disease and pest problems.
The group works to foster collaborative relationships among researchers, extension professionals, growers, commodity groups and industry professionals through face-to-face meetings and virtual interaction to address growing IPM priorities in pulse crops. The group will also continue to produce educational outreach materials that correspond to grower needs, including a pulse crops podcast focused on IPM.
Achievements
- Pulse Pest Management Strategic Plan
- The Lentil Disease Diagnostic Series
- Dry Pea and Lentil Root Rot Management Guide
- Pea Disease Diagnostic Series
- Pulse Crop Insect Diagnostic Series
- Compendium of Pea Diseases and Pests, Third Edition
- Growing Pulse Crops Podcast
- Chickpea Disease Diagnostic Series
More details can be found on the Pulse Crops Working Group website.