Pulse Crops

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

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,

In the context of increased N fertilizer prices and efforts to minimize C footprints of food production, it is worth considering how to maximise biologically fixed N from pulse crops and its provision to other crops in the rotation. It should also be remembered that pulse crops can provide other rotational benefits such as soil texture & health improvement, weed control opportunities, slug control, & opportunity to spread workload.

Understanding and improving bean yields by sharing measures and ideas  

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.

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. 

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.

Welcome to the new PGRO Pulse Descriptive Lists for 2023. 

Farmers working with scientists to achieve the best from pulse crops and reduce their carbon emissions.

The lupin plant is a legume capable of fixing N and consequently is a good break crop that can be produced using normal cereal production machinery.

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

The bruchid beetle (also known as bean seed beetle or broad bean weevil) damages the seeds of field bean and its larvae can lead to crop rejection in broad beans.

Beans provide a useful break crop for wheat or seed crops.

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.  

This page is designed to give information to PulsePEP community members on using the Farm Carbon Calculator from Farm Carbon Toolkit for carbon emission baselining as part of the Nitrogen Climate Smart Project.

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.

Soya agronomy is well established and straightforward.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Legumes form symbiotic relationships with soil bacteria called rhizobia. Rhizobia form nodules on legume roots where atmospheric nitrogen (N) from soil pores is fixed into plant-available N and fed to plants.

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

As part of the NCS project, McArthur Agriculture have started to carry out trials in dehulling and roasting beans to start testing for different outcomes.

Interested in learning more about home grown protein crops but don’t know where to look?

Buying a standing crop of beans and producing 21% protein forage has helped sheep and beef producer, Steven Smith, improve profitability on his Northumberland farm.

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.  

Intercropping is known to have environmental and economic benefits, but which varieties work best together in a UK climate?

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

Somerset beef and arable producer, Richard Coles, has substantially reduced his costs of production by cutting out expensive, bought-in ingredients and replacing them with home-grown feed, including high protein beans.

Peas are a pulse crop that is part of the Leguminosae family.

Pulse Progress

Nitrogen (N) is not a scarce element on earth but the most abundant forms (N2 gas in the atmosphere and N fixed in the earth’s crust and sediments) are not directly available for plants.

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

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.

The trial will evaluate the long-term effects of pulses in an arable rotation, particularly the effect on available N to following crops. Objectives are: To evaluate the effects of winter beans, winter bean/ winter wheat intercrop and spring beans on soil nitrogen supply annually over 5 years. To evaluate the effects of species and species mixtures on GHG emissions. To evaluate impacts on soil structure and health resulting from cropping differences.

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

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

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.

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

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.

Perhaps due to lower cropping area, resources for fundamental research of peas in the UK has lagged behind that of the major crops. This means that whilst we have fantastic agronomy guides from PGRO, some of the things we take for granted for the major crops such as crop development growth benchmarks don’t exist for pulses. In 2016 an enthusiastic group of growers and industry sponsors, steered by ADAS and PGRO, stepped in to help bridge this gap for combining peas with a participatory network approach.

The national crop area of beans, practices of home feeding, and utilisation within the feed industry in general have increased.

Workshops for PulsePEP community members on using the Farm Carbon Calculator from Farm Carbon Toolkit for carbon emission baselining as part of the Nitrogen Climate Smart Project.