Current research with Jeff Paull focuses on identifying other sources of resistance and combining chocolate spot and Ascochyta blight resistance in a single variety. A number of rust resistant vetches have been identified in collaboration with Rade Matic. Some of these lines are also high yielding and we anticipate their release in several years. Tests over several seasons confirm that Ascochyta blight resistance in Northfield lentils is reflected in the seed infection levels rather than in the field. In seasons when disease levels lead to severe seed contamination, Northfield will allow growers to grow seed of lower risk.
Work continues on seeking black spot resistance in peas.
Several hundred new lines were evaluated during 1995. No lines are totally resistant to the disease but there are significant differences. Resistance to powdery mildew has been identified in a number of new lines in the breeding program. However, as disease levels last season were low and the residues have suffered substantial weathering from the summer rains, they are probably not as infectious as in other years. Beware that downy mildew, black spot and Pleiochaeta will survive from the early outbreak.