New 2010 PRGO recommended list brings benefits of breeder's investment to UK pulse growers

The 2010 PGRO Pulse Recommended Lists were announced today and include four varieties - two combining peas plus a spring bean and a winter bean - from LS Plant Breeding Ltd who are now establishing a firm presence in the UK pulse market.

"We believe the new varieties joining the PGRO Recommended Lists are good news for UK pulse growers as they show the results of the renewed investment going into pulse breeding," says Theo Labuda, managing director of LS Plant Breeding Ltd (LSPB). "This investment is already bringing these new, improved varieties to the market and will bring further advances over the next few years."

"On the combining pea Recommended List, our high-yielding white pea Gregor has progressed from P1 to P2 recommendation, while our large blue pea, Bluestar - with yields that match those of Prophet - has been added with a provisional (P1) recommendation.

"On the spring bean list, our pale hilum spring bean, Fury - which is higher-yielding than the market leader Fuego - has been added to the list with a provisional (P1) recommendation.

"Our fourth success was to see the winter bean Husky from our breeding programme progress to provisional (P1) recommendation. Husky has a pale hilum and skin, so we believe it should be suitable for export markets - and its yield matches those of market leader Wizard," added Mr Labuda.