Combinable Peas: Monitoring And Evaluation Of The Feasibility Of Organic Production
This project was conducted by HDRA (2000-2001) with the aid of funding from the Processors and Growers Research Organisation
(The Processors and Growers Research Organisation, The Research Station, Great North Road, Thornhaugh, Peterborough PE8 6JH)
Summary of the final project report
There is a growing market for organic dried and vining peas, especially for dried peas for livestock feed. The UK area of organic peas (120 ha) is small and much of the demand for organic peas are currently being met by imports, mainly from Continental Europe where the industry is more developed. The limited number of UK growers of organic vining peas, and the price processors are prepared to offer, are constraining the growth of the UK organic frozen pea industry.
In 2000 a trial was conducted on a relatively fertile field in Lincolnshire to identify any problems that growers might have when growing combinable peas. The yield obtained on the central area of the field (4.2 t ha-1) was considered to be good but on the margins soil compaction led to poor crop growth and weed competition. Plant establishment was excellent and pests and diseases were not a real problem. The crop was weeded twice with an Einbock weeder; this operation was successful with little damage to the peas.
Although the peas fix their own nitrogen most of this is removed in the harvested crop. Relatively little is left behind as residues which can sustain following crops in the rotation. However, because peas are harvested relatively early in the year they can be followed with a winter green manure which would provide a boost of fertility when incorporated in the following spring.
Yields of organic dried peas can be similar to conventional ones. Since prices are currently 150% greater than for a conventional crop gross margins are comparable with other crops in a typical organic arable rotation, although they are much lower than those which can be obtained from organic root and vegetable crops such as potatoes and carrots.
A key benefit of peas in an organic rotation is that they can provide an additional cash crop, without depleting fertility levels, enabling the rotation to be extended and the average gross margin over the whole rotation to be increased.
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