2023 Pulse and Special Crops Regional Variety Trials

One of the pillars of best management practices is selecting varieties that are well-suited to your growing environment. Funding for the Pulse Regional Variety Trials (RVT) is generously provided by public and private industry groups. These funders include: Alberta Pulse Growers (APG), Alberta-British Columbia Seed Growers (ABCSG), Alberta Seed Processors (ASP), as well as seed distributors and plant breeding institutions that pay annual fees as program entrants. Funding from these multiple and diverse funders is critical to generate this information which empowers farmers to make informed decisions.

Multi-year data tables are generated to provide information on production potentials over several growing seasons. All data included in this publication is vetted for information gaps and accuracy. Data is statistically analysed and reviewed by expert crop coordinators. The following rules apply for Pulse RVT data to be included in the Alberta Seed Guide tables:

• Yield data is considered acceptable for inclusion if the trial’s adjusted CV, from all four replicates, is less than 12% and there are no other oddities between replicates for varieties.

• Site data may be included in the historical database if it has passed site inspection, and the yield data has a CV between 12-15% if the cultivar’s analysis of variance (ANOVA) is significant at p<0.05.  Where the yield data has a CV between 15-20% it may be accepted if the cultivar ANOVA is significant at p<0.01.

See the note at the end of this introduction for further explanation of the above.

Site information is compiled into soil zones (Brown-irrigated, Brown, Black-short season, Black-mid season, and Grey Wooded). To view a map of the Soil Zones visit: https://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/soils/soils.nsf/soilgroupmap?readform”.

Yield of the check variety is indicated in bold, with test varieties reported as a percentage of the check. Please be aware that direct variety comparisons should only be made with the check.

The Pulse RVT protocol is updated annually. The protocol includes site selection parameters, fertility requirements, seeding dates, inoculation, pesticides, and details for data collection. The trials are conducted in a randomized complete block design with four replications. 

Along with funding, it takes a dedicated team to establish a regional variety trial program. There are many steps including: seed set-up, planting plots, maintaining plots, harvesting, and analysis. The Pulse RVT program is a collaborative initiative involving APG, Lakeland College, and several crop research cooperators. APG provides funding, direction and expertise. Research cooperators conduct the field variety testing. Lakeland College provides seed treating and distribution as well as managing four pulse RVT sites. AgCall is contracted by APG to provide project and data management, oversight, administration, and in-season site evaluations. Thanks to all those involved in this work.

Sheri’s Ag Consulting Inc. provides multi-site-year data analysis to generate the values published in the Alberta Seed Guide. A committee of dedicated seed variety contributors, plant breeders, pathologists, and researchers review and ensure the data is presented accurately. This committee is comprised of individuals that have knowledge of pulse RVT programs in other prairie provinces, pulse breeders, pulse distributors, and members who also sit on the Prairie Recommending Committee for Pulses and Special Crops. This group strives to ensure congruence of data to the highest quality scientific standards.

Yearly trial results are greatly impacted by the growing season. The 2024 growing season started off with significant precipitation in mid-May which delayed seeding in parts of the province. The spring was wet and cool leading to disease at many locations. However, there were above-average temperatures and drought at flowering. Unfortunately, many sites experienced hail combined with high winds resulting in the loss of yield data at many sites. In 2024, data from: two lentil trials, nine green/yellow pea trials, and six faba bean trials was added to the historical database.

Starting in 2023, lentil yield registration data from Alberta sites was added to the historical database to increase the number of site-years. In 2024, pea and faba bean yield registration data from Alberta sites was added to the historical database to increase the number of site-years. 

The data in the tables for the agronomic traits, disease resistance (i.e. Mycosphaerella blight ratings), and quality traits (i.e. seed coat breakage), are generated from multiple sources depending on crop type. When Saskatchewan RVT data is available for these agronomic, disease resistance and quality traits, it is compiled with historical registration data which is generated from Alberta and Saskatchewan sites. When there is not Saskatchewan RVT data available, values for these traits are sourced from registration trials and are calculated for each variety with the assistance of the crop coordinators.

For site specific data and results of the organic RVT pea trials, visit the APG website or view data on the app. To download the APG app visit https://albertapulservt.com/DownloadApp.aspx

Questions about general pulse agronomy? Email Jenn Walker at [email protected] or connect with APG on X (formerly, Twitter) @APGResearch and @APGExtension. 

NOTE:

• CV is the coefficient of variation. It is a statistical measure of trial quality. The higher this value is, the more variable the data is in a trial. For example, if yields in a trial range from 20 to 65 bu/ac, across reps and varieties, this trial will have a high CV and is likely of poor quality. 

• The ANOVA p-value is an indication of statistical differences in yield. For example, if one variety had a yield of 50 bu/ac but another variety had a yield of 55 bu/ac and the p-value is greater than 0.05, the yield difference is likely due to expected variation across a trial, meaning there is no real difference in yield between the two varieties. However, if the p-value for the same trial was less than 0.05, the yield difference is likely due to the variety.