Don’t be fooled by dry weather in Peas
With reliable break crop options becoming had to find, some growers are looking back at a once popular spring break crop, Peas. Modern plant breeding techniques have improved the yield and standing characteristics of current varieties on the market, along with plenty of niche contracts available from merchants, Peas are coming back in favour. But how can we grow them?
Most herbicide residuals worked well, early in the spring, when we had some moisture. Now we must turn our attention to disease, insect control and plant nutrition issues.
When it comes to crop nutrition, peas, like any legume are very simple. Apply the required macronutrients such as potash and phosphate in the seedbed, which should be based on soil indices and do not forget the application of sulphur! All legumes require sulphur in order to fix atmospheric nitrogen and convert protein within the leaf. Less than 20% of legumes are currently receiving sulphur, potentially accounting for some underwhelming yields in recent years. As far as micronutrients, peas have a hunger for manganese in order to offset marsh spot as well magnesium, to maximise chlorophyll production.
Key diseases to look out for are, leaf and pod spot, grey mould and powdery mildew, all brought on by wet, humid conditions during the spring. Low risk factors at the moment with the current dry spell, but bear in mind all the products in our armoury are protectants. These diseases must be controlled as they can affect the visual quality of the crop, which is the main specification it is purchased on. Fear not, as we have an effective protectants include Azoxystrobin, Metconazole, Boscalid or Pyraclostrobin, which can also give physiological yield benefits without the presents of disease.
Finally, there are a range of pests which find this crop appetising, such as thrips, pea moth and the pea aphid. Careful monitoring, using traps will indicate if pest thresholds have been reached and only then should an application be applied, considering beneficial insects present at the time of application.