Vol. 19, No. 16

Jan. 13, 2000

Extension specialist elected
president of crop association

Ed Kee, Cooperative Extension, has been elected president of the North America Pulse Crop Improvement Association. "A pulse is an edible legume crop such as peas, soybeans and peanuts," Kee said. "Legumes interact at the molecular level with the bacterium Rhizobium ('living root'), which allows the plant to take nitrogen from the air and use it in the same manner as nitrogen from the soil. The relationship between the plant and the bacterium is a mutually beneficial relationship: The bacteria supply the plant with nitrogen, and the plant provides the bacteria with carbohydrates and other organic compounds." According to Kee, the international association is committed to the sharing of knowledge and information related to crop improvement of the pea species Pisum, as well as the related crops of lentils and chickpeas. Peas for processing and dry edible peas are the major focus of the group. Scientists from the public and private sectors work to better understand the plant genome in order to achieve disease resistance and other improvements. Field research in cultural practices, disease control, insect control and harvester efficiencies are additional areas of concentration. The Pulse Crop Improvement Association primarily represents the seed industry and the research community throughout North America. Kee has served on the board for four years and just finished a term as vice president and program chair.