Montana’s pulse industry is growing stronger each year, and one of the key figures behind that success is Dr. Giseli Valentini, a pulse crop breeder at Montana State University (MSU). Through her work and partnership with USA Pulses, Dr. Valentini is helping to develop new varieties of lentils, chickpeas, and field peas specifically tailored to Montana’s climate and market needs.
“My role as a pulse crop breeder at Montana State University is closely connected to the mission of USA Pulses,” Valentini said. “Our work is aligned through shared goals: increasing the consumption of pulse crops, enhancing productivity, and sustainability.”
Research That Reflects Real-World Conditions
Dr. Valentini leads the MSU Pulse Crop Breeding Program, which runs multi-location field trials across the state. These trials are designed to test new breeding lines in a variety of environments to ensure strong performance for Montana growers.
“We are working on several breeding research projects focused on improving yield, stability, harvestability, disease resistance, and seed quality,” she explained. “These trials help identify genotypes with the greatest potential for Montana growers, ensuring that the selected varieties offer consistent performance, improved agronomic traits, and greater market value.”
She emphasized that yield alone is not enough. “The top priority in breeding new pulse crop varieties for the Northern Plains is high yield potential,” Valentini said. “But just as important is yield stability across diverse environments.”
Recent Successes on Montana Farms
Two of Dr. Valentini’s recent releases—MT Bridger (chickpea) and MT 457 (green pea)—have already made a significant impact on farms across the state.
“MT Bridger, in particular, has seen strong adoption among growers,” she said. “We have received very positive feedback on its performance, and there is growing interest in expanding its acreage due to its yield potential and adaptability.”
Traits like early maturity, upright growth, and strong stems help support efficient harvests, while seed quality improvements—such as better protein content and cooking quality—ensure that Montana pulses remain competitive in both domestic and global markets.
Tackling Today’s Challenges with Tomorrow’s Tools
Climate variability and evolving disease pressures present major challenges for pulse crop breeders, but Valentini’s team is rising to meet them using advanced breeding tools.
“We have worked diligently to characterize germplasm and identify genotypes that carry desirable genes,” she noted. “Techniques like marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, gene editing, and high-throughput phenotyping will be more fully integrated into our program. These tools help us accelerate the development of varieties tailored to Montana’s unique environmental challenges.”
Equally important, she said, is seed quality. “High seed quality and genetic purity are essential to maximizing crop performance and ensuring consistency in traits like maturity, disease resistance, and market class.”
Partnering with Growers
Dr. Valentini views Montana growers not just as beneficiaries of her work—but as partners.
“Growers are critical partners in our work. They can participate in on-farm trials, serve on advisory committees, or attend field days and research updates,” she said. “Feedback from producers directly influences our breeding priorities.”
What’s Next?
Although the MSU Pulse Crop Breeding Program is only eight years old, Valentini believes the next five to ten years will bring even greater impact.
“Several advanced breeding lines are currently in the final stages of evaluation and show strong potential for release,” she said. “I expect pulse crop development to become increasingly data-driven and climate-resilient.”
Her vision is clear: “The goal is to deliver varieties that are not only high yielding, but also stable, resilient, and profitable for Montana growers.”
The Bottom Line
With a focus on scientific innovation, real-world application, and grower collaboration, Dr. Giseli Valentini is helping secure a brighter, more profitable future for Montana’s pulse industry.
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