
Growers Could Plant a New, Earlier Chickpea Next SpringBy Kathryn Barry
Stelljes July 1, 1997PULLMAN, Wash., July 1--Chickpea growers can get the U.S.
Department of Agriculture's new, earlier maturing variety, called "Evans," in
time for next spring's planting. Like Dwelley and Sanford, released in 1992 by USDA's
Agricultural Research Service and
cooperators, Evans resists the Ascochyta blight fungus that devastated the
chickpea, or garbanzo, industry a decade ago. But Evans flowers up to a week
earlier than the other two varieties and matures two to three days earlier. "That small difference is very significant," said ARS geneticist
Frederick J. Muehlbauer, who developed
Evans chickpeas. "In Washington and Idaho, where many of the nation's chickpeas
are grown, a couple of extra days can allow the farmers to harvest their crops
before the fall rains begin." If the plants get wet before harvest, the peas are hard to remove
from the pods. The extra moisture the peas retain could cause them to rot in
storage bins, Muehlbauer explained. Planting early won't avoid this problem, he
added, because temperatures early in the season aren't warm enough to hasten
growth. Muehlbauer leads the ARS Grain Legume Genetics and Physiology Research
Unit in Pullman. In California, the country's largest chickpea producer, Evans'
yields aren't likely to be as high as in Washington and Idaho. But the new
variety's blight resistance may still make it attractive to California growers,
Muehlbauer said. He also developed Dwelley and Sanford chickpeas. ARS released all
three varieties jointly with Washington State University and the University of
Idaho. All are the large, cream-colored kabuli-type chickpeas often seen in
salad bars. Chickpeas are low in fat and rich in protein and fiber. About half
the 43,000- acre U.S. chickpea crop is exported to Spain, Italy and
Columbia. Research plots of Evans will be on display July 10 at the Spillman
Farm Field Day in Pullman. The new variety was named after the late Sanford Evans--also the
namesake of the Sanford variety--and his family in Genessee, Idaho. The Evans
family was one of the first chickpea producers when the crop was introduced to
the Pacific Northwest in 1981. Researchers can obtain small amounts of seed from Muehlbauer.
Commercial growers should contact the Washington and Idaho state crop
improvement associations for seed. Scientific contact: Frederick J. Muehlbauer, research leader,
Grain Legume Genetics and Physiology Research Unit, Agricultural Research
Service, USDA, Pullman, WA 99164-6421. Phone (509) 335-9521, fax (509)
335-7692. U.S. Department of Agriculture | |