Pea

Pisum sativum

1. Identification and origin

The pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an annual legume of the Fabaceae family, native to the Fertile Crescent region and widely cultivated since antiquity. It includes dry-grain, green-grain and tender-pod (snow pea) varieties. It is one of the most important legumes worldwide, both for human and animal consumption.

2. Economic importance

The pea has great economic relevance in horticulture and extensive agriculture. It is consumed fresh, frozen, canned or dried. It plays an important role in crop rotations due to its capacity for biological nitrogen fixation. It is also used as a forage and cover crop.

3. Botanical characterisation

An annual herbaceous plant, climbing or semi-creeping in growth, with terminal tendrils. The leaves are compound, with ovate leaflets. The flowers are white or pink, typical of the Fabaceae. The pods contain spherical or angular seeds, depending on the variety. The root system is deep and associated with nitrogen-fixing nodules.

4. Soil and climate requirements

It prefers cool temperate climates, with optimal temperatures between 13–18 °C. It is sensitive to excessive heat, which reduces fruit set and pod quality. It develops best in well-drained, fertile soils, with a pH between 6.0–7.5. It tolerates some dryness but benefits from regular moisture during flowering and pod filling.

5. Main pests

• Aphids (Aphididae): leaf curling and transmission of viruses.
• Pea weevil (Bruchus pisorum): damage to seeds.
• Caterpillars of Helicoverpa armigera: perforations in pods.
• Bean seed fly (Delia platura): damage to seedlings.
• Nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.): root galls and plant decline.

6. Main diseases

• Downy mildew (Peronospora viciae): chlorotic spots and necrosis.
• Powdery mildew (Erysiphe pisi): white mycelium on leaves and stems.
• Anthracnose (Colletotrichum pisi): necrotic lesions on leaves and pods.
• Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. pisi): vascular wilting.
• Root rots (Pythium spp., Rhizoctonia spp.): death of seedlings.

7. General crop management

Management includes choosing varieties adapted to the growing season and the commercial purpose. Sowing should be carried out in well-drained soils at an adequate temperature. Crop rotation is essential to reduce pressure from soil diseases and weevils. Monitoring of aphids, downy mildew and powdery mildew is critical during the cycle. Harvesting should be carried out at the optimal point of ripeness, avoiding quality losses.

Bibliographic references

• EPPO Global Database – Pisum sativum.
• CABI Crop Compendium – Pisum sativum.
• Rubatzky, V. E., & Yamaguchi, M. (1997). World Vegetables. Chapman & Hall.
• FAO (2014). Legume crop production guidelines – Pea. FAO Plant Production and Protection Division.
• McPhee, K. (2003). Dry pea production and breeding. Plant Breeding Reviews, Wiley.