b'Pulse and Special Cropsspecial cropsperformance trials and grower directoryIntroductionONE OF THEpillars of best managementrequirements, seeding dates, inoculation, practices for every crop is selecting varietiespesticides, and details for data collection. that are well-suited to your growingThe trials are conducted in a randomized environment and spread productionin complete block design with fourZone 5risk. The Alberta Pulse Growers (APG)replications. continues to fund the pulse regional trialsAlong with funding it takes a team of as the information generated empowersdedicated people to establish a regionalZone 4farmers to make informed decisions. variety trial program. There are many All data included in this publicationsteps including: seed set-up, planting is vetted for information gaps andplots, maintaining plots, harvesting and accuracy. The trial cooperators areanalysis. Thanks to all those involved frequently contacted for further inputs andin making this process work: The PulseZone 3clarification. Data is statistically analysed.RVT program is a collaborative initiative The following rules apply for pulse regionalinvolving APG, Lakeland College, and trial data to be included in the Alberta Seedseveral crops research cooperators. APGZone 2Guide tables: provides funding, direction and expertise. - Yield data will be considered acceptableResearch cooperators conduct the for inclusion of the compiled analysis iffield variety testing. Lakeland College the trial CV, from all four replicates, is lessprovides seed treating and distribution than 12 per cent and there are no otheras well as managing four pulse RVT sites.Zone 1oddities between replicates for varieties.Sheris Ag Consulting Inc., provides - Site data may be included in the overalldata analysis for generation of the multi analysis is if it has passed inspectionsite-year data in the Alberta Seed Guide. and the yield data has a CV between 12AgCall is contracted by APG to provide to 15 per cent if the cultivar ANOVA isproject and data management, oversight, significant at p0.05. Where the yieldadministration, and in-season sitepea trials and nine faba bean trials was data has a CV between 15 to 20 per cent itevaluations. A committee of dedicatedadded to the historical database. Staring may be accepted if the cultivar ANOVA isseed variety contributors, plant breeders,in 2023, lentil registration data from significant at p0.01.pathologists, and researchers review andAlberta sites was added to the historical Multi-year data tables are generatedensure the data is presented accurately.database to increase the number of site-to provide information on productionThis committee is comprised ofyears. potentials over several growing seasons.individuals that have knowledge of pulseThere were no soybean varieties entered Beginning in 2022 and movingRVT programs in other prairie provinces,into the RVT program in 2023, hence forward, site information is compiledpulse breeders, pulse distributors, andthere is no updated data to publish. Given into soil zones (brown-irrigated, brown,members who also sit on the Prairiethat soybean acreage in Alberta is that of a black-short season, black-mid season andRecommending Committee for Pulse andminor crop,farmers interested in growing grey wooded). To view a map of the soilSpecial Crops. This group stives to ensuresoybeans should consult their seed retailer zones for the newly tested varieties visit:congruence of data to the highest qualityfor appropriate variety options.www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/soils/soils.nsf/ scientific standards. For site specific data and results soilgroupmap?readform Yearly trial results are greatly impactedof the organic RVT pea trials, visit Yield of the check variety is indicatedby the growing season conditions. Thethe APG website or view data on the in bold, with test varieties reported as a2023 growing season started off dry, butAPP. To download the APG app visit: percentage of that check variety. Pleasetimely rains resulted in generally goodalbertapulservt.com/DownloadApp.aspxbe aware that direct variety comparisonsgrowing conditions at most locations.Questions about general pulse should only be made with the check.Some sites suffered from the early seasonagronomy? Email Jenn Walker, jwalker@The pulse regional variety trial (RVT)dryness resulting in the loss of data fromalbertapulse.com or connect with APG protocol is updated annually. The protocolsome sites. In 2023, data from two lentilon Twitter @APGResearch and @includes site selection parameters, fertilitytrials, nine green pea trials, eight yellowAPGExtension. Spring 2024 103'