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Researchers at Montana State University are seeing an increase in the number of samples of pulse crops containing significant amounts of the fungus blight Ascochyta over the past year. The findings represent an increase compared to what researchers found in the 2010 samples, particularly in the lentil crop. With pulse crops going into the ground soon, there is some confusion about the acceptable level of Ascochyta in a given crop. Ascochyta is a potentially serious fungal disease in pulse crops, including lentils, peas and chickpea. The disease can defoliate plants and spread rapidly. One way to prevent Ascochyta blight is to plant fungus-free seed. Growers can test seed lots for Ascochyta, by sending a sample to the MSU Seed Lab.