Field peas

Field peas are one of the oldest domesticated crops and are now grown in many countries for both human consumption and stockfeed. They have a range of growth habits at maturity, from trailing (which can be difficult to harvest) to erect types. The development of semi-leafless/semi-dwarf types have given growers options with better standing ability which helps with harvesting. In these plants, the leaves have been modified into tendrils which tend to wrap themselves together and hold the plant upright.

There are five seed types of field pea of which only two, Dun and White seed types, are grown in Western Australia. Dun varieties have greenish-brown (dun) seed coats and yellow cotyledons and Australia is currently the only country in the world which grows and exports dun type field peas. 

Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia contributes to Pulse Breeding Australia to evaluate potential new varieties. Good variety options are available for Western Australian growers suited to a range of soil types and growing seasons.

Articles

  • Adult is 5mm long with white, black and grey patches

    The pea weevil (Bruchus pisorum) is  in fact a beetle not a weevil and should really be called the pea beetle. It is one of the most damaging pests of field peas.

  • Red legged earth mite and Blue Oat mite

    Field peas are very susceptible to mite damage at the seedling stage.

  • Green peach aphid (top), bluegreen aphid (centre), cowpea aphid (below)

    Small soft-bodied winged or wingless insects that damage field peas grown in Western Australia  through transmission of viruses rather than direct feeding damage.  Main species are pea aphid (A