Trace Metal Survey for Canadian Peas

WINNIPEG - Apr 12/07 - SNS -- The Canadian Grain Commission's (CGC) Grain Research Laboratory (GRL) has finished testing about 150 pea samples collected from across western Canada in 2004 and 2005 as part of an effort to map trace metals in the production area.

The project's goal is to determine the growing areas in western Canada producing pulse crops, such as peas, that meet international standards for trace element contaminants. The contaminants include selenium, lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, chromium and nickel. Results will help researchers determine whether or not variations in trace element levels are related to soil type or location, as well as to the variety of peas and other pulse crops.

"We have just received samples from last year's harvest, and will begin testing those," said GRL Program Manager, Trace Elements Eugene Gawalko. "We are sending the test results for the 2004 and 2005 pea samples to the Geological Survey of Canada so they can start creating maps showing trace elements spatial distribution."

The project was developed in response to increasing international requirements limiting tolerance levels for trace elements in grain imports. In 2006, the grain inspection agency of the People's Republic of China began enforcing a maximum residue limit for selenium in peas used for food production. This resulted in a decline in Canadian pea exports to China.

This is a joint project involving the CGC, Pulse Canada, the Geological Survey of Canada and plant breeders at the University of Saskatchewan.