Ash Terry, a senior undergraduate student, is dedicated to studying chickpea adaptation to South Carolina cropping systems. Alongside fellow undergrad lab member Jacob Johnson (Junior), they conducted thorough testing of two cropping systems, organic and conventional, to assess chickpea adaptation in SC. The cultivation process involved growing various cultivars, collecting data on height and other phenology characteristics, and conducting nutritional quality trait analysis in the lab. Despite minimal variation between cultivars, Ash and Jacob observed notable differences between the organic and conventional cropping systems. In collaboration with lab leader Dr. Dil and grad student Sonia, cultivars selected from these findings will undergo field trials in the upcoming spring semester (January). This process aims to determine the viability of chickpeas in South Carolina and involves the typical breeding procedures and trials. In an interview, Ash expressed a profound passion for chickpeas, highlighting their potential as a more affordable protein source to address South Carolina’s food insecurity issue. They emphasized the growing popularity of chickpeas and other plant-based proteins in the broader context. Ash also acknowledged the rarity of undergraduates leading such projects, considering it a valuable opportunity for professional development in the fields of plant breeding and research. During discussions about challenges, Ash candidly admitted to not initially knowing that chickpeas were not grown locally and acknowledged the difficulty of cultivating them. They also shared the struggles of working with a partner, appreciating the support received from another undergrad and grad students. Ash underlined the positive impact of teamwork on their professional development, gaining valuable insights into the entire process of field trials and experiments. Looking ahead, Ash discussed potential applications of chickpeas as a cover crop, benefiting soil health and providing an additional income source for farmers. They emphasized the importance of local cultivation to reduce shipping and production costs, making chickpeas more accessible. Regarding the project’s future outcomes, Ash predicted that locally grown pulses, including chickpeas, would gain recognition, necessitating effective marketing strategies to boost their popularity. For the upcoming semester, Ash plans to conduct field trials for the selected cultivar and commence writing a corresponding paper, aspiring to see their work published online alongside contributions from grad students in the lab. Ash remains optimistic about the prospect of South Carolinian chickpeas becoming available in the near future. Best of luck to Ash in their endeavors!
