An experiment to determine the effects of date of sowing on the yield and quality of harvesting peas 1953–56

Abstract

Three sowings of marrowfat peas were made at about 20-day intervals at forty-seven centres in eastern England over 4 years. The sowing period ranged from late February to late April, varying with seasonal conditions. Bird damage caused considerable loss of sowings but satisfactory yield data were obtained from forty-one of the trials.Highest yields were obtained from drillings made in the last 10 days of February. After mid-March each week's delay in sowing resulted in a yield loss of about 3/4 cwt. per acre. Quality fell off slightly from February onwards.Early sowings suffered some loss of plant in tractor wheelings but were negligibly affected by cold weather.Early sowings appear likely to encounter better harvest weather than late sowings and the chances of good harvest weather seem appreciably better in the centre and south of the pea-growing area than in the north. Early sowings mature before the cereal crop, enabling better attention to be given to the pea harvest.It was concluded that the crop should be sown as soon after the middle of February as soil conditions allow.

The growth of vining peas: I. The effect of time of sowing

“…This experiment gave results that are in agreement with several authors (Bleasdale & Thompson, 1964;Boswell, 1926;Proctor, 1963) who have shown that later sown peas have lower yields. The experiment has also provided data for growth analysis and yield analysis.…”

“…In 1964 the control treatment was cesses and to investigate the effects on yield of seed sown on two dates a month apart: rate, time of sowing and variety. Since there is evi-(a) 'Early ' (19 March 1964) and (6) 'Late' (16 dence (Proctor, 1963) that the time of sowing has April 1964), 28 days later. A randomized block important effects on yield, this variable was chosen design was used with fourfold replication, for the first experiment.…”

Comparison of the effects of autumn and spring sowing date on growth and yield of combining peas (Pisum sativutnL.)

“…Most sowing-date field sequently, there is a growing interest in autumn trials have, therefore, concentrated on spring sow-sowing of combining peas in the U.K. ings and excluded autumn sowings (Boswell, 1926; Winter-hardy pea varieties are autumn sown in Fletcher et al 1966;Milbourn & Hardwick, 1968; S. Europe. Autumn-sown crops already established Proctor, 1963;Vulstekeg, 1974). Spring-sown com-in the early spring may take less time to reach bining peas (harvested dry for animal feed or optimum leaf area index and might, therefore, human consumption) produce maximum yields if intercept solar radiation over a longer time period they suffer no check from frosts or cold spells than corresponding spring-sown crops.…”

“…Spring-sown com-in the early spring may take less time to reach bining peas (harvested dry for animal feed or optimum leaf area index and might, therefore, human consumption) produce maximum yields if intercept solar radiation over a longer time period they suffer no check from frosts or cold spells than corresponding spring-sown crops. Autumn- (Proctor, 1963). Proctor (1963) concluded that for sown pea crops are, therefore, potentially higher maximum yield under U.K. field conditions, yielding and earlier maturing than spring-sown marrowfat peas should be drilled as soon as soil crops.…”

“…Autumn- (Proctor, 1963). Proctor (1963) concluded that for sown pea crops are, therefore, potentially higher maximum yield under U.K. field conditions, yielding and earlier maturing than spring-sown marrowfat peas should be drilled as soon as soil crops. In France, winter-hardy varieties Frimas conditions allow after mid-February.…”