Dry Pea, Lentil, and Chickpea Variety Evaluation On the Palouse: Innovation of Energy Efficient, High Value Food Crops.

Dry pea, lentil, and chickpea are grain legumes that can be direct seeded and do not require nitrogen fertilizer. They are low energy input crops and produce a high quality food commodity. From 1994 to present, grain legume varieties have been evaluated for adaptation and performance in the Pacific Northwest Palouse region of Idaho and Washington. Trials were supported by the University of Idaho, Washington State University, USDA-ARS, USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council, the pulse seed industry, and private breeders. Variety testing results provided information for Extension programing to educate growers on variety performance and selection for their growing conditions including conventional and no-tillage management. This supports the adoption of new, improved varieties adapted for an area. Seed yield and size, and plant length and canopy height were determined. Results varied greatly depending on location, year, cultivars entered, and management. ‘Columbian’ green pea, ‘Pardina’ and ‘Brewer’ lentils, and ‘Dwelley’ chickpea were common varieties across all trials for 19 years. In conventional tilled trials, Columbian yielded an average of 1925 kg ha^-1, Pardina and Brewer yielded, respectively 1755 and 1585 kg ha^-1, Dwelley yielded 1450 kg ha^-1. These varieties do not show an upward or downward yield trend across the study period showing no agronomic improvement in yields, unlike with cereals, and indicating yield improvements has been from genetic improvements, and there is a need for agronomic research. This successful variety evaluation program has supported growers and enhanced the pulse industry for 19 years on the Palouse.