The Effects of Different Sowing Times on the Phenological Characteristics and Seed Yield of the Pea

Abstract

The pea is a legume with a high protein content and high nutritional value. In recent times, it has come to be
 consumed as a frozen and canned food as well as fresh. It has a special place among legumes because of its
 suitability for crop rotation. In Turkey, it is mostly grown as a winter crop in the western regions. Sowing
 takes place in the fall for the winter growing season. Determining the best sowing time is vital to avoid cold
 damage. This study was conducted over two years in 2020-21 and 2021-22 growing seasons in the field crops
 trial fields of Aydin Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Agriculture. During the study, the dry matter
 values and GDD (growing degree days) of four pea cultivars (Giresun, Mayer, Local 1 and Local 2) were
 calculated at four phenological periods (emergence, flowering, pod set and maturity) for three different sowing
 times (November 1, November 20 and December 10). In addition, the yield and yield characteristics and
 protein content were analyzed. Among the four varieties, Mayer (1.95t ha-1) recorded the highest yield value,
 while Giresun (25.6%) achieved the highest protein content. The number of days to maturity, dry matter
 content and GDD values of the varieties at the different phenological periods varied with the sowing time.
 Higher GDD and dry matter content levels were measured in early sowing. The later the sowing, the shorter
 the period from pod set to maturation and the lower the dry matter content.