“Farming is often at the sharp end of unpredictable weather events. Varieties that can provide growers with agronomic performance and still serve the market requirements will gradually come to the fore,” says Stephen Belcher, Principal Technical Officer of PGRO, discussing the reasons why varieties are included in the 2022 Descriptive Lists (DL) for pulse crops.
Pheromones, used by insects for communication, can be used to lure and trap pests. PheroSyn, a spin-out from Rothamsted Research, has been awarded an Innovate UK grant (£200k) to develop the supply chain for a new set of insect pheromones to tackle midges and weevils. It is working with PGRO on these major pests of beans.
Peas and beans are rich sources of plant protein, gluten-free and contain a starch with the potential to reverse diabetes when consumed as part of prescriptive diet, but the crops are challenging to grow well. To help more farmers increase yields and gain value from these pulses, the PGRO runs two Yield Enhancement Networks (YEN) to share best practice.
PGRO comments that at the end of 2018 feed values for UK pulses had risen considerably and forward values for crop 2019 were already rising.
High levels of bruchid damage and very dry weather at harvest in 2018 have led to variable bean seed quality.
A biological control system for beetle pests of peas and beans would reduce the need for blanket insecticide application and help to reduce the issues with resistance.
The Japanese see huge potential for UK pea flour as a protein rich alternative for wheat. Pulses are gluten-free, nutritious and do wonders for the