The North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station has released two new varieties of pulse crops: ND Dawn yellow pea and ND Crown kabuli chickpea.

“These varieties represent a collaborative effort among various personnel associated with the NDSU Pulse Breeding Program,” says Nonoy Bandillo, North Dakota State University Department of Plant Sciences assistant professor and pulse crop breeder.

The new varieties were developed by Bandillo and Kevin McPhee, former NDSU pulse crop breeder, based on the main campus, along with former assistant pulse breeders Shana Forster and Thomas Stefaniak, and research specialist Hannah Worral, stationed at the North Central Research Extension Center.

ND Dawn Yellow Pea

ND Dawn is the first yellow pea variety released from the NDSU Pulse Breeding Program. ND Dawn has high yield potential based on research trials in 18 environments from 2014 to 2017. It seems to be adapted to all parts of North Dakota, as well as adjacent areas in Montana.

The average yield of ND Dawn is not significantly different from standard varieties Agassiz, Copper and DS Admiral, but ND Dawn outperforms other varieties, including CDC Golden, CDC Striker and Aragorn.

The maturity of ND Dawn is about 95 days, which makes it favorable for North Dakota growing conditions. It has a good plant stand and is resistant to lodging. The plant height of ND Dawn is 1 inch shorter than Agassiz but about 4 inches taller than CDC Striker.

The unique characteristic of ND Dawn is its uniform round seed that processors can pick out from any other variety. The seed size for ND Dawn is similar to Navarro, a large-seeded size yellow pea variety, and a bit larger than Agassiz, a medium-seeded yellow pea variety.

ND Dawn’s total protein content, 24%, is competitive in the current market and does not differ significantly from Agassiz and other commercial varieties, making it a good choice for producers looking to get a premium for high-protein peas. Processors give a discounted price when total protein content falls below 22%.

ND Crown Kabuli Chickpea

ND Crown is the first released Kabuli-type chickpea variety from the NDSU Pulse Breeding Program. It has high yield potential in North Dakota based on research trials in 18 environments from 2012 to 2018.

ND Crown has similar yield and agronomic performance with a check variety, CDC Frontier. The unique characteristic of ND Crown is its larger seed size compared with the widely-grown cultivar, CDC Frontier, which makes it ideal for whole seed and processed markets, and food such as hummus. The heading and maturity dates of ND Crown are one day earlier than CDC Frontier.

In addition, ND Crown has a good plant stand and is resistant to lodging. The plant height of ND Crown is 1 inch shorter than CDC Frontier.

ND Crown is moderately resistant to Ascochyta blight. Under moderate to high disease pressure of Ascochyta blight, ND Crown has similar disease response as existing commercial varieties CDC Frontier and CDC Orion. ND Crown seems to be adapted to all parts of North Dakota and adjacent areas of Montana.

“Sufficient seed is available for ND Dawn,” says Bandillo. “However, limited quantities of seed for ND Crown are currently available, and a spring 2021 distribution is planned. Plant Variety Protection will be sought for these new varieties.”

These varieties were developed with support from the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and the Northern Pulse Growers Association.