Pre-Harvest Glyphosate Staging Guide for Pulses
Use this handy staging guide to determine when grain moisture is less than 30% in Pulse crops.
Table of Contents
This guide is designed to help identify the correct maturity stage before application. Pulse crops must reach the appropriate level of physiological maturity to reduce residue risk and avoid market rejection.
This guide covers chickpeas, dry beans, faba beans, lentils and peas, with crop‑specific indicators and clear warnings on when it is too early to apply.
Important: Pre‑harvest glyphosate use may affect market acceptance. Always follow product label directions and confirm buyer requirements before application.
CHICKPEAS
Chickpeas must be fully mature with dry, rattling pods before considering pre‑harvest glyphosate. Many buyers restrict or prohibit treated chickpeas.
Be informed:
Chickpeas may not be accepted if treated with pre‑harvest glyphosate. Always check with your grain buyer before applying.
What to look and listen for:
- Plants are yellowed and drying down
- Pods are fully mature
- Seeds have changed colour and detached from the pod
- Pods rattle when shaken
⚠️ Too early warning:
If plants are still green or seeds remain attached to the pod, applying glyphosate too early can increase residue risk.
Recommended harvest timing:
Minimum 7 days after pre-harvest glyphosate application.
DRY BEANS
Dry beans require advanced leaf drop, and pod colour change. Market restrictions are common.
Be informed:
Most dry bean dealers do not accept beans treated with pre‑harvest glyphosate. Check with your grain buyer before applying.
What to look and listen for:
- 80–90% leaf drop
- 80% pod colour change to mature colour
- Upper pods are yellow
- Seeds rattle in the lowest pods
- Seeds have lost all green colour when split
⚠️ Too early warning:
Green leaves, green seeds, or immature pods indicate the crop is not ready and should not be treated.
Recommended harvest timing:
Minimum 7 days after pre‑harvest glyphosate application
FABA BEANS
Faba beans must reach uniform maturity across the entire field. Applying too early is a common mistake.
Be informed:
Faba beans may not be accepted if treated with pre‑harvest glyphosate. Check with your grain buyer before applying.
What to look for:
Too Early – Do Not Apply
- Leaves and lower pods just beginning to yellow
- Grain moisture greater than 30%
- Stems remain mostly green
WAIT — pre‑harvest glyphosate at this stage increases residue risk.
Correct Application Stage
- Lower pods are dark brown to black
- Grain moisture is approximately 30%
All plants in the field have reached this stage
Fully Mature
- Most pods are dark brown/black
Grain moisture is 20% or less
Recommended harvest timing:
Minimum 7 days after pre‑harvest glyphosate application
LENTILS
Lentils require uniform maturity across the field. Pod rattle and seed firmness are key indicators.
Be Informed:
Lentils may not be accepted if treated with pre-harvest glyphosate. Check with your grain buyer before applying.
What to look and listen for:
Too Early – Do Not Apply
- Grain moisture around 40%
- Field remains green
- Pods on nodes 10–13 are filled but plants are not senesced
WAIT — this stage is too early for glyphosate application.
Correct Application Stage
- Grain moisture is 30%
- 80% of the plant is yellow to brown
- Seeds in the top third are fully formed and firm
- Seeds in the bottom third are hard and tan‑brown
- Pods rattle when shaken
- All plants in the field must reach this stage
Fully Mature
- Grain moisture around 20%
- 90% of pods are tan‑brown
Recommended harvest timing:
Minimum 7 days after pre‑harvest glyphosate application
PEAS
Peas must be well advanced in maturity, with widespread pod colour change and seed detachment.
Be Informed:
Peas may not be accepted if treated with pre‑harvest glyphosate. Check with your grain buyer before applying.
What to look and listen for:
- 80% of pods are yellow to golden brown
- Seeds in bottom pods are detached
- Pods rattle when shaken
⚠️ Too early warning:
Green pods or seeds still attached to pods indicate immature peas and increased residue risk.
Recommended harvest timing:
Minimum 7 days after pre‑harvest glyphosate application
We’re all in
this together.
Do your part to protect the quality and reputation of Canadian crops and help keep markets open for all.
Follow the Keep it Clean 5 Tips to ensure your canola, cereals and pulses are ready for market.