b'PLANT-BASED PROTEIN DEMANDThe Rise of PulsesPulse breeders are working with industry players in Alberta and beyond to address the rising popularity of plant-based protein. ACCORDING TO ROBYNE Bowness Davidson, a pulseAgriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and private breeding research scientist at Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (AF) incompanies in Canada and in several European countries. Once Lacombe, Alta., there is huge opportunity for the pulse industrynew lines are genetically stable, Mark Olson (unit head of crops due to demand for plant-based protein. at AF), Christy Hoy (research agrologist, AF) and their colleagues By 2050, the global demand for food is expected to risetest them under Alberta growing conditions through the project significantly, and with it, the shift to include more protein inEnhancing Field Pea, Faba Bean and Lentil Productivity and diets, especially in Asia. Add to that, the shift in consumerResilience through Germplasm Screening funded by the Alberta trends toward more plant-based protein and the demand toPulse Growers (APG). Promising lines are entered into the grow food more sustainably.Western Co-op trials (also known as registration trials), which are Bowness Davidson notes the new Canada Food Guidefunded by industry and government. recommends Canadians eat more plant protein and many majorThe success of pulse breeding and projects like the one restaurants are now providing vegan options. Over the nextmentioned above continues to speak for itself as yields have five years, she says, human consumption of plant-based proteincontinued to grow at one to two per cent per annum, says is expected to doubleand there is also a huge increaseOlson. However, while pulses are recognized for numerous in demand for protein to make pet food, livestock feed andbenefits, such as being high in protein, low in fat, and for aquaculture feed. their ability to fix nitrogen [lowering the carbon footprint of The agriculture sector in Western Canada is very well- the entire cropping system], they are not one of the top six positioned to meet these demands.economically most important crops [rice, wheat, soybean, We already know how to grow pulses well, and as more andcotton, corn/maize and vegetables] globally.more fractionation plants are announced, we, as an industry,Large, international companies are not investing billions will be able to add more value to our products by processingof dollars in pulse breeding in the Prairies, says Olson, as is them here, says Bowness Davidson. By separating pulses intocurrently happening in the pursuit of hybrid wheat, soybean the fibre, starch and protein that the companies are requesting,and grain corn. Public breeding institutions are heavily relied we increase our marketability. This creates jobs, grows ourupon in pulse breeding and this will not be changing in the near Canadian businesses and strengthens our economy, while stillfuture, he explains. That said, for pulse crops, public-private building our large international export markets. collaboration is absolutely critical.In terms of pulse breeding, various high-protein lines are beingGenetics are only one factor in boosting pulse protein content, developed by AFs breeding partners, which include universities,says Olson. He explains field pea protein content is affected by PHOTO: ROB MCMORRIS PHOTOGRAPHY10seed.ab.ca'