Peas

Peas (pisum sativum) are grown either for combining dry seed (combining peas) or harvesting fresh as a vegetable or for freezing (vining peas).

See the PGRO Online Pulse Agronomy Guide for useful information on how to grow combining peas and vining peas.

Combining peas (Pisum sativum) are a valuable break crop. The produce is mostly used for human consumption or as a high protein component of pet and livestock feeds.

The first step in planning a pea crop is to decide upon the intended market. Many types of high quality peas are suitable for a range of premium markets, but all types are suitable for animal feeds.

Current marrowfat human consumption varieties are relatively lower yielding and they are often more expensive to produce - but they can command a high premium price.

Most varieties of peas grown in the UK are white flowered, a small area of coloured flowed 'Maple' varieties are grown for pigeon feed. All varieties of white flowered peas are suitable for premium markets but can also be used for animal feed. These are further classified on the current PGRO Descriptive List into yellows (whites), greens (large & small blues) and marrowfats.

 

 

 

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Pulses are leguminous crops harvested for dry protein-rich seed, with peas (pisum sativum) and beans (vicia faba) being the major crops in the UK.

A combination of sustainability, health & animal welfare concerns are pushing a shift away from meat in our diets to alternative proteins.

Farmers taking part in and getting paid for on-farm trials as part of the NCS Project.

The major commodity crops in the UK are wheat, barley, oilseed rape, field beans, sugar beet and potatoes, but around half of agricultural land grows grass.   

As the UK's centre of excellence for peas and beans, the PGRO has a long and highly valued track record of providing authoritative, up to date information and project work based on solid, reliable research.

Some symbiotic or free-living microorganisms can fix inert di-nitrogen (N) from the air into reactive organic nitrogenous compounds.  Most biological N fixation (BNF) in farming systems occurs in the root nodules of legumes where rhizobium bacteria take photosynthates from the plant in exchange for fixing atmospheric N and returning ammonium or amides which the plant uses to form amino acids, proteins, etc.   Plants need more N than any other nutrient and N commonly limits plant growth in many ecosystems. 

The pea and bean weevil adults cause characteristic leaf notching around the leaf margins. The larvae can cause significant damage to the nitrogen-fixing root nodules. 

PULSES, GRAINS, FLOUR & MORE FROM BRITISH FARMS

Legume is the commonly used name for the family of flowering plants, Fabaceae. Any plant in the Fabaceae family that has leaves, stems and pods are referred to as a Legume.

Share information, knowledge, resources and experience on how we can improve crop perfomance (yield, quality and profitability) whilst reducing reliance on input, reducing impacts and improving environmental performance.

Field beans (vicia faba) are a widely grown break crop across the UK on around 170,000 ha. 

Understanding how to drive performance of pea crops, by sharing measurements, experiences and ideas

PGRO have conducted trials testing a range of biostimulants on spring beans, vining peas and combining peas in seasons from 2018 to 2021.

Following the TRUE and LegValue EU projects this LinkedIn group with over 100 members continues to share resources for those interested in legume crops,

Innovative Farmers, as part of their involvement in the Horizon Europe LEGUMINOSE project we will be setting up trials with Reading University to look at the benefits of intercropping in arable rotations.

It’s worth reflecting on why we export most of the pulse crop we produce in the UK, or simply fee

At present, we are leaders in the spring field bean market, including varieties such as Lynx, Genius, Futura and newer varieties including Loki and Ketu. We also have competitive oilseed rape varieties, for example Clubroot resistant varieties Crusoe and Crome, HEAR OSR varieties including Resort. Spring Peas including market leader Carrington and butterfly, marrowfats like Takayama and yellow Concerto. Finally we have '00' OSR Maverick, Murray and Vegas, all of which help the UK farmer to maximise their yield.  

Scientia potentia est: knowledge is power. But understanding empowers. The purpose of the Legume Hub is to empower all interested in the development of legume crop production and use by providing access to validated knowledge. It is a platform dedicated to sharing knowledge and successful practices across value chains, from plant breeding, on-farm activities, through to processing and consumption.

This Topic doesn't yet have a Stewarded summary, but connected groups, content and organisations show below. Click the 'Ask to Join' button if you would like to be a Steward for this Topic and provide a summary of current knowledge and recommend useful resources, organisations, networks and projects. "Like" this Topic if you would like to see it prioritised for providing a wikipedia style summary.   Branston are creating a potato derived protein product.

Nitrogen residue following different crops is an important consideration in the N fertiliser requirement of the subsequent crop and one of the key determinants of N fertiliser recommendations in the UK. 

Pea and bean weevil (also called pea leaf weevil) is a particular risk to spring-sown peas and beans.

Though peas and beans have long been a trusted part of cropping rotations, it is perhaps only recently that the scope and value of their potential is being realised.

Join us for the third (and final) Cheltenham Monitor Farm meeting of Winter 2023/24. 

Welcome to the new PGRO Pulse Descriptive Lists for 2024.

Peas are a very important crop to growers as they provide a valuable spring sown break crop which supplies product for processing, seed, food and feed uses.

The ADAS soils and nutrients team will share and discuss results from our recent cover crop research with Affinity Water, Anglian Water, and Portsmouth Water.

In recent years we have seen an increase in the incidence of grain mite (Acarus siro) infestation in all stored cereals and pulses. Infestations can affect grain whether it is crimped, dry, or even treated with Propcorn NC or urea. Some cases have also been seen in higher DM wholecrops, particularly beans.

Welcome to the new PGRO Pulse Descriptive Lists for 2023. 

A project run by ADAS and HMC Peas, under a programme of and funded by the European Space Agency. The project aims to use satellite imagery to estimate final yield of vining peas, to maximise the efficiency and profitability of harvest and processing. The project runs from September 2023 to May 2024.

The study measured the N available after spring-sown peas, field beans or autumn sown cereals in eastern England and the subsequent response of winter wheat to fertiliser nitrogen.  

Measurements of N2O were made using static flux chambers for a 24 month period from sowing to 12 months after harvest.

Pea moth is one of the most damaging pea pests in this country and in Europe.

Combining regenerative farming with a drive for home-grown cattle feed is increasing sustainability and profitability on a challenging, northern farm.

This Peas and Beans Crop Walkers' Guide is aimed at assisting growers, agronomists and their staff in the vital task of monitoring crops.

Among legume crops, forage peas and field beans show the most symptoms of legume fatigue.

This allows for a good exchange of services between these two crops, as the peas provide nitrogen to the cropping system while the wheat acts as a support for the pea.

Vining peas are vulnerable to poor soil conditions and soil borne pathogens. Cover crops can be used to improve soil structure and health.

To grow pulses successfully growers and their advisors need access to sound information and expert agronomic advice.

This guidance documents provides advice on IPM measures for pulses insect pests and diseases.

Protein-rich peas and beans are replacing concentrates in the winter ration of sheep and cattle at a Radnorshire farm.

The last decade has witnessed dramatic changes in global food consumption patterns mainly because of population growth and economic development.

The search for a catch crop to fill the gap between lifting carrots in late spring and drilling winter wheat, led a Norfolk farmer to a 19% protein baled haylage from a quick-growing legume.  

The pea crop is a grain legume, which produces a high protein feed for animal or human nutrition.

UK feeding industries rely heavily on imported soya bean meal (SBM) as the main protein source in monogastric feeds, including for pigs.

An innovative approach to growing and preserving peas, beans and lupins has cut out bought-in protein from almost all livestock rations while also meeting greening rules on a Durham farm.

PGRO Chief Executive Roger Vickers talks us through one of PGRO's intercropping trial plots.

A Welsh farming family, who grew and crimped peas and beans as part of a government/EU trial, has been able to completely cut out bought-in feed from their cattle rations.

Trials conducted back in 2015 and 2016 explored a range of opportunities for boosting the protein content of the wholecrop cereal silage the Flemings have always grown to provide extra winter fodder and a productive crop under which to establish new grass leys.

Boost Your Pea and Bean Yields by Nearly a Fifth with Phosphate-Enhanced Starter Fertiliser

Soil health is an integral part of sustainable farming practices for generations to come.

'The NCS Project fits perfectly into our business as we hope that our well looked after soils grow healthy and profitable crops, and being a pulse pioneer is a great way to test this.'

This landmark conference (January 22, 2025) will explore innovative strategies to increase pulse production and use in livestock diets. Register HERE

Really useful guide from PGRO on the decisions to make when growing combining peas.

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