Abstract only

Pea is remarkable among annual leguminous crops for its multiple beneficial properties. Under the correct management practices pea generates accumulation of up to 100 kg per hectare free soil nitrogen that corresponds to 20 tons of manure. Pea is an excellent green manure crop giving 25-30 t/ha green mass. Its green mass that is enriched with all the nutritional elements necessary for the deve- lopment of plants improves physical and chemical properties of soil and fosters its microbiologic processes (Handbook on fertilizers for agriculturists, 1985). Grains of some varieties of pea contain up to 28% of protein. Up to 10-15% supplement of pea f1our into wheat f1our improves the taste and nutritional value of bread. Pea is a fast growing crop and shows an excellent ability to act as a biological tool of pest control. Forage value of pea is also high. Pea has short vegetation period, so its facultative cultivation is possible during various seasons of the year (Lomouri, 1962, Japaridze, 1967). Based on the results of our research pea requires the following crop management when planted in March: under-winter plowing in the second half of November, preceded by the pre-plowing application of P 60K60 and spring pre-sowing appli- cation of N 15" Spring planting should be done in the first decade of March with 15 cm row distance at the sowing rate of 180 kg per hectare. Under such management average pea grain yield reaches 28-30 centners per hectare. As pea is characterized with the short vegetation period reaching complete maturity in 105-110 days, incase of sowing in early March pea will release the occupied field in the first decade of July, thus offering an opportunity for the second crop at the same area.

English

0409|AGRIS 0401|AL-Wheat Program

Juan Carlos Mendieta

CIMMYT Publications Collection