Lyle Tallon, 103 Cindy Drive, Lexington, SK 61753
The pulse crops dry bean, pea, lentil, faba bean, and chickpea are increasing in economic importance in the rotations of what traditionally was cereal-based agriculture. Historic yield comparisons for pulse crops grown in representative areas demonstrate fluctuations linked to agronomic and climatic factors. Part of the yearly variation in yields is due to poor climatic adaptation of relatively new crop introductions. As the climate changes from global warming the fluctuations in yield will increase. These yield fluctuations not only pose tremendous challenges in the breeding of more stable cultivars, but they present increased uncertainty and risk of crop failure for agricultural producers . Recent weather patterns in selected areas of the Northern Great Plains will be associated with average yields from representative pulse crops to illustrate four challenges in local climates: cool springs, drought, high temperature during flowering and early pod set, and cool wet falls. Specific examples of crop traits to fit a changing climate are discussed: dry bean and cold tolerance, drought escape by early flowering and early maturity for lentil and chickpea, heat tolerance for pea, determinate habits and managing indeterminacy for timely maturity, and finally, low levels of seed dormancy to prevent premature sprouting.