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

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.

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.   

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. 

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.

PULSES, GRAINS, FLOUR & MORE FROM BRITISH FARMS

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

At present, we are leaders in the spring field bean market, including varieties such as Lynx, Vertigo, Fanfare and newer varieties including Yukon, Macho and Victus. We also have competitive oilseed rape varieties, for example Clubroot resistant varieties Crome and Croozer, HEAR OSR varieties including Resort and Ergo, 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.

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

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