Current Research

In 2010, the Government of Canada announced it would provide $7 million to help Pulse Canada lead a research cluster of over 100 industry, government and university scientists to develop ways to improve productivity, nutrition, and improve the rotational benefits to other crops. This research is helping to identify new and innovative ways of processing and using pulses that will help grow new market opportunities and the bottom line of Canadian pulse growers.

The Pulse Research Network (PURENet), funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, is a collection of scientists, researchers and industry personnel whose vision is to develop and expand the use of pulses. PURENet is driven by innovative scientific solutions to deliver sustainable, environmentally friendly and functionally superior food, thereby contributing to the well-being of all Canadians.

PURENet will develop and expand the use of pulses, based on their unique and inherent attributes, by conducting research in three areas - bioproduct development, sustainable production of crops and feed development. This research will focus on demonstrating the health and nutritional benefits of foods containing pulses. Results will include the incorporation of pulse-based diets into healthy living guidelines to manage important health conditions faced by many Canadians. PURENet will also improve the science of pulse crop breeding through the enhancement of plant varieties by adding nutrients to existing crop varieties. Another initiative will examine the possible use of pulses in the development of nitrogen forms that can be used in crop planting.

PURENet includes six Canadian universities, three federal research organizations, one international university and 55 co-investigators who work on 21 pulse research projects. PURENet’s research is currently underway and will wrap up in 2011. For more information click here.