Viruses in pulse crops pose a significant threat to yield and quality, yet diagnostic tools for their detection in Saskatchewan have been limited. A review of the literature highlights the need for improved molecular detection methods to identify virus infections in pulse crops and assess their epidemiology. This project addresses several important aspects of pulse infecting viruses in pulses in Saskatchewan. These include the prevalence of major pulse crop viruses and developing PCR-based detection techniques for Pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV), Pea streak virus (PeSV), Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV), Bean leafroll virus (BLRV), Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), and Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). The premise of this work is that molecular detection tools can improve virus identification and facilitate early disease management in Saskatchewan pulse crops.

To address this, field samples of symptomatic pulse crops were collected across Saskatchewan from 2022 to 2024, and molecular techniques were developed to detect viruses in seeds, plant tissues, and insect vectors. All symptomatic pulse samples tested positive for at least one of the targeted viruses. PSbMV was identified in infected faba bean seeds, with the virus persisting in the seed coat despite bleach treatments, confirming its strong seedborne nature. Additionally, PSbMV was successfully detected in aphid vectors captured on sticky cards stored at room temperature for up to 40 days, demonstrating a novel method for vector monitoring. Controlled inoculation studies documented key PSbMV symptoms across multiple pulse species. Infected pea plants exhibited burning tendrils, curled leaf margins, and “tennis ball”-like seed deformation, while faba bean plants developed burning leaf tips and mosaic patterns. Chickpea plants displayed yellowing, smaller leaves, stunting, and shortened internodes. These findings provide a reliable molecular framework for virus detection in Saskatchewan pulse crops and offer new tools for virus surveillance, vector competence assessment, and disease management. By enabling early detection and improved diagnostics, this research supports the development of integrated disease management strategies to mitigate viral threats and enhance pulse crop production.

Key outcomes include:

• Molecular detection tools enable early, accurate virus diagnosis.
• PSbMV symptom documentation will result in reference materials to aid in identification of infected plants in the field.
• Increased ability for more targeted vector and disease management.
• Molecular tests could be integrated into seed certification programs to ensure virus-free planting material.
• Tools have been constructed to detect viruses in seeds and insect vectors allowing for new surveys leading to better timing of management decisions.