Characteristics
Upright growth form with tangled vegetation, though late-maturing types are more prostrate than early-maturing types. Growth period of 12-18 weeks depending upon cultivar. In temperate areas, most vigorous growth from spring-sowing. Lodging can occur with increasing maturity, particularly under wet conditions. Generally grows best between 100C and 200C.
Place in rotation
Can be included anywhere in a rotation. A spring-sown crop provides entry for a late-summer/early autumn grass sow-out, a winter cereal or a forage brassica catch crop (Whytock and Frame, 1985a). In very favourable areas there may be a chance of growing a second crop of forage peas in the same year, particularly if an early-maturing cultivar is sown. To avoid the risk of disease build-up, e.g. Sclerotinia stem rot (Sclerotinia trifoliorum) peas should not be grown on the same land more often than one year in five.
Season of growth
In temperate areas, spring/early summer for early-sown crops, summer/autumn for later-sown crops. Grown in winter when grown as a cool-season crop in warm, temperate areas.
Drought tolerance
Intolerant of drought which has a particularly adverse effect on production if it occurs at flowering.
Soil requirements
Requires free-draining soils since intolerant of waterlogging. Sandy or medium-loam, moderately fertile soils are particularly suitable. Soil pH 6.0 to 7.0 but not overlimed since this will result in manganese deficiency (marsh spot) especially organic soils.
Rhizobial relationships
Rhizobial inoculation of seed was beneficial to nodulation, plant growth and nitrogen fixation on acid soils where peas had not been previously grown (Sparrow et al., 1993).
Land preparation for sowing
Well-cultivated, fine but firm seed bed required to promote rapid root and plant development. Over-compaction must be avoided.
Sowing depth and soil cover
Ideally drilled at 7.5 cm depth on a level seed-bed so that after soil consolidation by rolling, seeds are at 3 to 5 cm depth. Drill rows are usually 15-20 cm apart.