Spring Lentil, Pea and Chickpea Variety Evaluation.

Project Coordinators: Chengci Chen and Yesuf Mohammed, MSU/MAES, Central Ag. Research Center, Moccasin, MT.

Personnel: John Miller, Julie Prewett, and Gadi V.P. Reddy, MSU/MAES, Western Triangle Ag. Research Center, Conrad, MT.

Spring pea, lentil, and chickpea were grown on no-till chemical fallow at Western Triangle Ag. Research Center. Data are summarized in Tables 1 and 2. Chickpea data were not collected due to antelope eating the pods while they were green.

The 2014 growing season at WTARC was a little cooler than average with a wetter than normal June. The June rain was very timely with respect to the pulse crop plots.

Results: Lentil data are summarized in Table 3. The lentil nursery grown at WTARC yielded between 1174 and 2056 lbs/acre. With the small green Viceroy lentil yielding the best followed by the small green Eston lentil. The lentils grew to an average mature canopy height of 19.8 cm (7.8 inches), with an average yield of 1682 lbs/acre.

Yellow pea data are summarized in Table 1. Yellow pea varieties grown at WTARC yielded between 1796 lbs/acre for Earlystar and 3625 lbs/acre for CDC Leroy. Yellow pea averaged 2723 lbs/acre with an average test weight of 63.9 lbs/bu and an average plant height at maturity of 75.7 cm (29.8 inches).

Green pea data are summarized in Table 2. Green pea varieties grown at WTARC yielded from 2017 lbs/acre for CDC Striker to 3674 lbs/acre for Ginny. Green pea averaged 2723 lbs/acre with an average test weight of 63.5 lbs/bu and an average plant height at maturity of 69.4 cm (27.3 inches).

A similar project will be proposed for FY 2015. The continuation of on and off-station variety trials help elucidate researchers and farmers which varieties are better suited for that particular region in Montana.

Table 1. Statewide Dry Pea Variety Evaluation. Yellow pea. Western Triangle Ag. Research Center. 2014.

Seeding Date: April 30, 2014.

Harvest Date: August 8, 2014.

Precipitation: 5.92 inches.

Fertilizer (actual): 11-22-20. 11-22-0 was applied with the seed with 0-0-20 being broadcast while planting.

Pre-plant sprayed with Prowl H2O at 30 oz/a and RT3 at 10 oz/a on April 25, 2014.

Located at Western Triangle Ag. Research Center, Conrad, MT.

Table 2. Statewide Dry Pea Variety Evaluation. Green pea. Western Triangle Ag. Research Center. 2014.

Seeding Date: April 30, 2014.

Harvest Date: August 8, 2014.

Precipitation: 5.92 inches.

Fertilizer (actual): 11-22-20. 11-22-0 was applied with the seed with 0-0-20 being broadcast while planting.

Pre-plant sprayed with Prowl H2O at 30 oz/a and RT3 at 10 oz/a on April 25, 2014.

Located at Western Triangle Ag. Research Center, Conrad, MT.

Table 3. Statewide Lentil Variety Evaluation. Western Triangle Ag. Research Center. 2014.

Seeding Date: May 19, 2014.

Harvest Date: September 23 2014.

Fertilizer (actual lbs/a): 11-22-20. 11-22-0 was applied with the seed with 0-0-20 being broadcast while planting.

Precipitation: 8.68 inches.

Sprayed with pre-plant spray with Roundup RT3 at 10oz/a. Prowl H2O at 30 oz/a.

Lentil color: Small Green = sg; Medium Green = mg; Large Green = lg; Small Red = sr; Spanish Brown (Pardina) = sb

Western Triangle Ag. Research Center, Conrad, MT.