A National Pulse Breeding Program will unite field pea, chickpea, faba bean and lentil breeding programs, currently operating across five states, for the benefit of Australian graingrowers, most of whom depend on pulses as part of their cereal rotation but also as cash crops.

A committee, comprising the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), Pulse Australia and major state-based pulse breeding agencies, wants an internationally competitive pulse breeding capability for Australia that meets the regional needs of growers, marketers and buyers.

Announcing the national program, GRDC Managing Director, Peter Reading said a sustainable future for Australia’s 40,000 graingrowers and their current $8 billion per annum industry was closely tied to pulse crops.

“For this reason, it is vital that breeding programs share germplasm, technologies and intellectual property, so that benefits flow freely across state borders.

“With around $10 million invested annually in the different pulse breeding programs in WA, SA, Victoria, NSW and Queensland, it makes sense to encourage greater sharing of individual resources for the common good, while ensuring a clear focus remains on local objectives being satisfied,” he said.

The National Pulse Breeding Program is expected to be functioning by July, 2005.

Full details of the program can be found on the GRDC website - ‘Australian Pulse Breeding Program Future Directions’.