Crop diversification and lowering inputs are major drivers for sustainable agricultural policy. Pulse crops could be an answer. They are important in arable rotations fixing enough atmospheric nitrogen for themselves and contributing a surplus to succeeding crops, and so require minimal inputs while acting as a very effective break crop in a cereal dominated rotation. This is of economic benefit to the grower and also benefits the environment as nitrogen fertiliser contributes 9% of Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Pulses are also being seen as an important, home-grown protein source for human and livestock nutrition, particularly addressing concerns over an impending shortfall in protein for animal feed across Europe.
Crops included in the Innovation Farm demonstration site:
Phaseolus beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)
Partner: Seeds Express and Phaseolus Ltd
Varieties: STOP (Red), PRIM (Yellow), ‘GOGO’ (Green) and GENERATIF (White)
Faba beans (Vicia faba)
Partner: PCGIN
Soya beans (Glycine max)
Partner: Soya UK
Varieties: Vilshanka and Siverka
