PeasArea Under Cultivation

The major pea growing states are Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Orissa

and Karnataka.

Botanical Name : Pisum sativum

Family : Fabaceae

Plant Discription :

Nutritional Levels :

It is a tender annual and vigorous, knee-high vines . Leaves are modified into tendrils used for

attachment to support and climbing.The plants bears white flowers and pods having a number of

seeds.

Centre of Origin : Ethiopia

Pollination System : Self pollinated

Chromosome no : 2n=14

Moisture Protein Fat Mineral matter Fibre Carbohydrate Calories(%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (K Cal)

72.9 7.2 0.1 0.8 4 15.9 93

Minerals

Phosphorus Potassium Calcium Magnesium Iron Sodium Copper (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g)

139 79 20 34 1.5 7.8 0.23

Manganese Zinc Sulphur Chlorine Molybdium Cromium(mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g)

0 95 20 0

Vitamins

Carotene Thiamine Riboflavin Niacin Vitamin C Choline Folic acid-Free(mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g)

83 0.25 0.01 0.8 9 20 0

Folic acid- Total(mg/100g)

0

Moisture Protein Fat Mineral matter Fibre Carbohydrate Calories(%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (K Cal)

72.9 7.2 0.1 0.8 4 15.9 93

Phosphorus Potassium Calcium Magnesium Iron Sodium Copper (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g)

139 79 20 34 1.5 7.8 0.23

Manganese Zinc Sulphur Chlorine Molybdium Cromium(mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g)

0 95 20 0

Carotene Thiamine Riboflavin Niacin Vitamin C Choline Folic acid-Free(mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g)

83 0.25 0.01 0.8 9 20 0

Folic acid- Total(mg/100g)

0

Minerals

Vitamins

PeasDiseases

Fusarium Wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. pisi):

The first symptom of the disease in the field is drooping of the plants followed by sudden death. The

leaves may also turn yellow and drop off prematurely. Pod formation is severely affected. In collar

regions of the wilted plants, necrosis and discolouration can be seen. The diseased plants can be

pulled out from the easily than the healthy ones. When the diseased stem is cut, there is a dark brown,

discolored band around the vascular system. Infection occurs directly through the root hairs. The

fungus survives for indefinite periods in the soil.

Control: Cultural practices like long crop rotation is recommended to reduce the disease population.

Treating the seeds with Carbendazim (2 g/kg of seed) protects the seedlings during the initial stages of

growth. Spraying the crop with Bavistin (1%) helps to control the disease.

Bacterial Blight (Pseudomonas syrinagae pv. pisi):

Cold and humid conditions favour the spread of the disease. The

affected plants exhibit water-soaked lesions on the stems, leaves and

pods. Lesions on the leaves appear as round-oval or irregular, reddish

brown spots with translucent centre and a dark brown margin. Several

such lesions may coalesce on the leaves to produce a blighted

appearance. On the stem brown linear streaks are observed. A white

to cream-coloured slimy ooze appears on the surface of the lesions.

The infected area eventually turns brown and papery.

Control: Use of healthy and disease free seeds for planting helps to minimize the disease spread.

Powdery Mildew (Erysiphe polygoni):

It is an important disease of pea. The disease appears as on the foliage

and pods. Infection is first apparent on the leaves as small slightly

darkened areas, which later become white powdery spots. These spots

enlarge and cover the entire leaf area. Severely infected leaves may

become chlorotic and distorted before falling. Affected pods are small in

size and malformed.

Control: As soon as the disease symptoms are observed dusting Sulphur (2.5kg/ha) or spraying

Calixin 75 EC (5 ml/10 litres of water) at 15 days interval helps to control the disease.

Rust (Uromyces fabae):

This often becomes serious in humid regions. The plants dry up quickly and the yield is considerably

reduced. The initial symptoms of the rust infection are flecking of the leaves. These flecks soon

develop into reddish brown pustules, frequently merging into one another, finally bursting to expose a

mass of brown spores. The entire leaf blade and other affected parts give a brownish appearance even

from a distance.

PeasHarvesting

The early varieties sown in October are ready to be hand picked in 50 days after planting while the mid-

season varieties sown in November are ready in 80-85 days. At maturity, the colour of the pods

changes from dark green to light green and they are well filled up.

Such mature pods are hand picked. As all the pods do not mature at the same time usually, 3-4 pickings

are made at 7-10 days interval. Picking should be done either early in the morning or late in the

afternoon to avoid quality deterioration due to high day temperatures. Care should be taken to avoid

injury to the pods at the time of picking.

Yield

Early varieties on an average yield about 5-6 t/ha while the mid-season varieties yield 9-10 t/ha.

PeasIntercultural Operations

Weeding

Weeds compete with the crop and affect its growth and yield. The crop should be kept weed free during

its entire growth period. Weeding is done either manually or by using chemicals. Pre-emergence

application of Basalin (2-3 litres/ha) controls most of the weeds.

Vine Support

Mostly all tall varieties are staked with bamboos or wooden poles. In some areas wire trellis supported

by strings is also used. However, the dwarf variety do not require any support.

PeasIrrigation

The crop is lightly irrigated immediately after sowing. For proper germination, a pre-sowing irrigation is

advisable. Subsequent irrigation are given at the time of flowering and pod development stage. In case

of light and sandy soils, frequent irrigation is necessary. Normally during the dry periods, light irrigation

is given at an interval of 10-12 days however excessive irrigation should be avoided.

PeasManuring & Fertilization

The fertilizer dose depends upon the fertility of soil and amount of organic manure applied to the crop.

For a good yield, 15-20 t/ha of well-decomposed FYM is incorporated into the soil. Generally,

application of 20-30kg N, 50-60 kg P O and 30-80 kg K O per hectare is recommended for optimum 2 5 2

yield. Half the dose of N and full dose of P and K is given at the time of sowing. The balance N is applied

when the plant is in flowering stage. Ring method should be used for applying the fertilizers. A high

dose of nitrogenous fertilizer has a deleterious effect on nodule formation and nitrogen fixation.

PeasPests

Pea Aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisi):It is one of the serious pests of pea crop. The aphids attack from January onwards. The green soft-bodied nymphs and the adults attack the young vines and suck the sap of younger

parts of plants. The affected plants become stunted and the pods curl, have rough spots and fail to

fill. Control: The insect can be controlled by spraying Malathion (0.05%) or Dichlorvos (DDVP)

(0.05%). Spraying should be started as soon as the pest is observed.

Pod Borer (Helicoverpa spp.):The disease is more serious on green pods especially at the stage of maturity. The caterpillars

bore into the pods and feed on the seeds. Control: handpicking of the caterpillar and pupae during the early stages of infestation reduces the

pest damage.

Pea Weevil (Bruchus pisorum):Adults feed in blossoms and lay eggs on young pods. Larvae after hatching from the eggs burrow

into green seed.Control: Spraying Malathion (0.05%) or Dichlorvos (DDVP) (0.05%) at the blossoming stage

effectively control the pest.

Leaf Miner (Phytomyza atricornis):It is a major pest of pea. The larvae attack tender leaves and feed in the epidermal layers of the

leaf by making serpentine mines in which air gets trapped and gives them silvery appearance. The

affected leaves turn pale yellow, get distorted and crumpled. Such leaves gradually dry and die

away. Control: Spraying the plants with Dichlorvos (0.05%) at the emergence of new leaves is highly

beneficial. Application of Phorate 10 G (1 kg a.i./acre) applied one day before planting is effective in

reducing the larval population of leaf miner.

Stem Fly (Ophiomyai phaseoli):The stem fly is a major pest of pea. The maggots bore inside the stem leading to wilting of the plants. Control: Seed treatment with Carbofuran (4%) protects the newly emerging seedlings from the

infection. Spraying with Malathion (0.05%) or Monocrotophos (0.04%) as soon as the pest symptom is

observed effectively controls the pest.

PeasPost Harvest Technology

Grading :Generally the edible-pods should be uniformly bright green (light to deep green but not yellow-

green), fully turgid, clean, and free from damage.

The Bureau of Indian Standards has fixed four grades for peas used for processing depending on the

seed size.

Packaging :The pods are generally packed in gunny bags for sending the produce to short distance markets. For

long distance markets, the bamboo baskets are generally preferred.

Storage :Fresh unshelled peas may be kept for two weeks at 0°C with 90-95 % relative humidity. Peas are highly

perishable and will not maintain good quality for more than 2 weeks. Wilting, yellowing of pods, loss of

tenderness, development of starchiness and decay are likely to increase following storage beyond 14

days.

Frozen peas can be stored at 23 to 18°C for one year when packed in gas tight packaging.

Cool Chain:

Cool chain is essential during the transport of export quality commodity all the way from the farm to the

customer. This helps in maintaining the temperature inside the box at the same low level as in the cold

storage.

The various stages of the cool chain are:

1. Coldstore at the farm.

2. Refrigerated truck from farm to the airport

3. Coldstore at the airport.

4. Building up of the pallet in a coldstore at the airport.

5. Loading the aircrafts directly from the coldstore in a short time.

6. Cargo aircraft maintains coldstore temperature in hold.

7. Off loading direct into a coldstore in the receiving country.

8. Refrigerated truck to the customers.

PeasPlanting

Season of Planting

The land should be thoroughly ploughed so that it is free from clods. The early varieties of pea are

sown in October where as the mid-season varieties are sown in November. In the hills, first crop of

pea is sown from the middle of March to the end of May while a second crop is sown in autumn.

Spacing

Seeds can be sown in ridges and furrows or flat beds. The seeds are dibbled at 5-7.5 cm depth on

either sides of the furrow at a spacing of 60 x 10 cm and at a spacing of 30 x 10 cm in flat beds.

Method of Planting

Seed rate depends on the method of planting, varieties, season of planting and purpose of growing.

The seed-rate should be about 30-35 kg/ha.

Pre-soaking of the seeds for 12 hours in water prior to sowing helps to improve the seed germination.

In plots where a pea crop has not been grown earlier, treating the seeds with bacterial culture is

recommended. The culture material is coated to moisten seed. These seeds are then spread in a thin

layer in shade to dry. This helps in quick nodulation and early fixation of atmospheric nitrogen.

Pea Plant

PeasSoil & Climate

Soil :Peas can be cultivated in a variety of soil types. However well drained, loose, friable and heavy

soils with a pH range of 6.0-7.5 are considered as ideal. Light soils are preferred for cultivating

early cultivars. Soils rich in organic matter promote excessive vegetative growth and poor pod

development.

Climate :OPeas favour a cool climate with an average temperature range of 10-18 C during its growth period.

Seed germination is hampered when the temperature at the time of planting is below 5°C. Peas

can tolerate frost at early stages of the growth. However, frost during the later stages of crop

growth causes considerable injury to the newly opened flowers and young developing pods. Pods

grow best in those regions where there is a slow transition from cool to warm weather in spring.

PeasVarieties

Early Smooth-Seeded Type:

Asauji

Suitable for early sowing, dwarf, green and smooth-seeded cultivar and flowers in 30-35 days. The

pods are produced singly, about 8 cm long, curved, darkgreen, narrow and appear round, fully

developed pods are 7-seeded.

Lucknow Boniya

Dwarf white-seeded cultivar, flowers in 40 days. The pods are borne singly, small, narrow, green,

and 4-5 seeded when fully developed..

Alaska

Early growing cultivar, flowers in 38 days. Pods are borne singly, light green in colour and contain

5-6 small green seeds when fully developed. Suitable for canning purpose.

Early Superb

Dwarf cultivar with yellowish green foliage and flowers in about 45 days. The pods are borne singly,

dark green and curved with 6-7 seeds when fully developed.

Early Wrinkled-Seeded

Arkel

Vigorous growing variety, pods are attractive, deep green, about 8 cm long, well filled with 7-8

seeds when fully developed. It is suitable as fresh vegetable and for dehydration. Pods are

harvested in 50-55 days.

Wrinkled-Seeded Main Season and Late Types :

Bonneville:

A double podded cultivar, plants medium-tall in height and flowers in 55-60 days. Pods are light

green, straight, about 9 cm long and 6-7

seeded when fully developed.

T-19:

A double podded cultivar. Plants are medium-tall in height and flowers in 55-60 days. Pods are

yellowish green, slightly curved, 8.5 cm long and 6-7 seeded when fully developed.

Khapar Kheda

A popular double-podded cultivar in Madhya Pradesh. Plants are tall growing and flowers in 65-70

days. Pods are 5-6 cm long and 4-5 seeded when fully developed.

NP 29

Developed at IARI, New Delhi. It is a double-podded cultivar. Plants are medium-tall with dark

green foliage and flowers in 75-80 days. Pods are green, straight, about 7 cm long and 6-7 seeded

when fully developed. Suitable for dehydration purpose.

Exotic varieties :China

Table Purpose

Snow Peas

USA

Table Purpose

Bounty, Knight, Mr. Big, Progress #9, Utrillo.

Processing Purpose

Alaska, Perfection, Horsford, Market Garden, Advaneer, Admiral.