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Project Abstract

Pulse crops contribute significantly to sustainable agriculture by improving soil nitrogen levels and enhancing on-farm biodiversity. However, despite these benefits, only about 8% of irrigated acres have included pulses over the past decade due to challenges with crop emergence, weed competition, disease pressure, and overall profitability.

This project aims to expand the use of pulse crops in irrigated agriculture by refining sustainable production practices by optimizing precision planting and strip tillage systems for dry beans, faba beans, and field peas to reduce soil disturbance, enhance crop performance, and improve economic resilience.

These approaches are expected to optimize irrigated pulse productivity and improve soil health indicators relative to conventional, high disturbance production systems. 

Project Details
Timeline 2026-2029
Principal Investigator: Ken Coles
Farming Smarter
Project Contact: Mike Gretzinger
Farming Smarter
Funded By:

Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR), Alberta Pulse Growers



Project Objectives

Primary Objectives

Secondary Objectives
  • Determine best management practices for field peas, dry beans, and faba beans
  • Generate regionally robust field datasets for soil health indicators (soil cover, soil compaction, soil nitrogen)
  • Identify best seeding rates to improve stand uniformity and maturity using a precision planter 
  • Calculate water consumption and water use efficiency datasets for each crop
  • Evaluate the performance of two row spacings commonly used in irrigated systems
  • Calculate nutrient use efficiency datasets for each crop
  • Develop a reduced disturbance production system using strip tillage for all three pulse crops
  • Create annual ground cover and canopy development datasets for each crop
  • Evaluate standard combine harvesting to eliminate the need for specialized dry bean harvest equipment

Methods

We have consulted with bean seed companies and agronomists to determine suitable variety options for each crop that are suitable for direct combining with upright growth, low lodging and high economic yields. Each combination will be replicated four times for a total of 72 (3x3x2x4) small plots. Each plot is approximately 3x6m with 4 rows of plants. Each individual trial will be roughly ½ acre in size.

Locations
Lethbridge, AB
Coaldale, AB
An additional location will be included in Years 2 & 3. Year 1 locations are reduced to allow our field teams extra time to properly calibrate the seeder and strip tiller for proper row spacing.

Treatments
  • Three crops:
    • Dry beans
    • Faba beans
    • Field peas
  • Three seeding rates (Low, Medium, Standard):
    • Dry beans - 15/m2, 20/m2, 25/m2
    • Faba beans - 30/m2, 40/m2, 50/m2
    • Field peas - 40/m2, 60/m2, 80/m2
  • Row spacing (all crops):
    • Narrow - 15"
    • Standard - 22"




Measurements

  • Yield (bu/ac)
  • Grain weight (TGW)
  • Soil compaction
  • Water consumption
  • Soil N (pre-seed & post-harvest)
  • Canopy closure
  • Plant emergence
  • Visual disease/plant health
  • Ground cover & canopy closure
  • Nutrient use
  • Soil N post-harvest


Results

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More
Return in 2027 for results from our first year of field work!

Once the season's done and we've had time to review data we'll be ready to share updates with you!

Recommendations

Return in 2029 after the project concludes to read our recommendations!