Pea Cultivation Research Articles

Adoption, Impact and Discontinuance of Integrated Pest Management Technologies for Pigeon Pea in South India

The adoption and impact of integrated pest management (IPM) were examined for pigeon pea cultivation in Andhra Pradesh, India. Summer ploughing and spraying of Neem Seed Kernel Extract (NSKE) were the most regularly adopted components of IPM for pigeon pea. A logistic regression analysis showed that age, education, participation in community-based organizations, ability to recognize the insect pests, and farm size influenced the decision to adopt IPM significantly. There were variations in the extent of IPM adoption among farmers. The adoption of IPM led to reduced use of insecticides and increased net returns. Furthermore, the use of new-generation insecticides led to a discontinuation of IPM practices.

Pea powdery mildew er1 resistance is associated to loss-of-function mutations at a MLO homologous locus.

The powdery mildew disease affects several crop species and is also one of the major threats for pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivation all over the world. The recessive gene er1, first described over 60years ago, is well known in pea breeding, as it still maintains its efficiency as a powdery mildew resistance source. Genetic and phytopathological features of er1 resistance are similar to those of barley, Arabidopsis, and tomato mlo powdery mildew resistance, which is caused by the loss of function of specific members of the MLO gene family. Here, we describe the obtainment of a novel er1 resistant line by experimental mutagenesis with the alkylating agent diethyl sulfate. This line was found to carry a single nucleotide polymorphism in the PsMLO1 gene sequence, predicted to result in premature termination of translation and a non-functional protein. A cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) marker was developed on the mutation site and shown to be fully co-segregating with resistance in F(2) individuals. Sequencing of PsMLO1 from three powdery mildew resistant cultivars also revealed the presence of loss-of-function mutations. Taken together, results reported in this study strongly indicate the identity between er1 and mlo resistances and are expected to be of great breeding importance for the development of resistant cultivars via marker-assisted selection.

Bioprotection mechanisms of pea plant by Rhizobium leguminosarum against Orobanche crenata

Broomrapes are achlorophyl holoparasites of many important economic dicotyledonous crops. As weeds, they significantly decrease crop yields. Orobanche crenata is an important constraint to Mediterranean area pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivation, as no resistant variety is available. Our previous researches showed that several Rhizobium leguminosarum strains decrease damages caused by O. crenata in pea. The aim of this work was to characterize the resistance induced by R. leguminosarum against broomrape. Higher concentrations of phenolic compounds and lignin were observed in pea roots inoculated with Rhizobia, in comparison to non inoculated. Polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activities were significantly higher in inoculated plants as compared to non-inoculated ones. These results suggest that the mechanisms of induced resistance by Rhizobia against O. crenata involve an elevated induction of the phenylpropanoid pathway, conferring mechanical and chemical barriers confronting the invading parasite. Key words: Broomrape, rhizobium, biocontrol, defense related enzymes, PPO, POX, phenols, lignin. .

Impact on fetal growth of prenatal exposure to pesticides due to agricultural activities: a prospective cohort study in Brittany, France

BackgroundPesticide use is widespread in agriculture. Several studies have shown that pesticides used in agricultural fields can contaminate the domestic environment and thus be an important source of pesticide exposure of populations residing nearby. Epidemiological studies that have examined the health effects of in utero pesticide exposure from residence near agricultural activities suggest adverse effects, but the results are inconsistent. Our purpose was to investigate the effect on intrauterine growth of such exposure due to agricultural activities in the residential municipality.MethodsA prospective birth cohort recruited 3421 pregnant women in a French agricultural region (Brittany, 2002-2006) through gynecologists, ultrasonographers, and maternity hospitals during routine prenatal care visits before 19 weeks of gestation. The national agricultural census in 2000 provided the percentages of the municipality area devoted to cultivation of corn, wheat, colza, peas, potatoes, and fresh vegetables.ResultsBirth weight and the risk of fetal growth restriction were not associated with agricultural activities in the municipality of residence in early pregnancy. Children whose mother lived in a municipality where peas were grown had a smaller head circumference at birth than those in municipalities not growing peas (-0.2 cm, p = 0.0002). Head circumference also tended to be lower when wheat was grown, but not to a statistically significant degree (p-trend = 0.10). Risk of an infant with a small head circumference was higher for mothers living in a municipality where peas (OR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.2-3.6) or potatoes (OR = 1.5; 95% CI = 0.9-2.4) were grown.ConclusionsAgricultural activities in the municipality of residence may have negative effects on cranial growth. Cultivation of pea crops and, to a lesser degree, potato and wheat crops, may negatively affect head circumference. Insecticides, including organophosphate insecticides, were applied to most of the area devoted to pea and potato crops; this was less true for corn and wheat crops. These results must be interpreted in light of the study's limitations, in particular, the scale at which we could assess pesticide exposure.

Studies on yield limiting meteorological factors for production of rabi pigeon pea in West Bengal

Winter pigeon pea can be considered as an alternative to boro rice cultivation particularly in the places where over exploitation of ground water is a potential threat to sustainability. The present experiment was aimed at quantifying the meteorological factors that limit the cultivation of rabi pigeon pea particularly in the upland and medium land condition. The experiment was conducted for three consecutive years during 2003-06 in the University Farm at (BCKV) Kalyani W.B. The treatments comprised different dates of sowing at seven days interval between 20 September and 7 December. The influence of meteorological factors on phenological development and yield was statistically analysed. The results revealed that the length of vegetative phase was inversely correlated to the afternoon vapour pressure deficit, average BSH and diurnal variation in temperature. On the other hand, night temperature and daylength were negatively correlated with the reproductive duration. The regression analysis showed that bright sunny days with high atmospheric vapour demanded not only induced early flowering but they also had suppressed the grain yield. Higher accumulation of GDD and PTU during vegetative phase resulted in higher grain production. On the other hand, the average day temperature, night temperature and day length during reproductive phase had negative correlation with grain yield of pigeon pea. These parameters may be considered as limiting factors for higher production. Besides that, rainfall during March had severely hampered pod formation when sown late.

Identification of quantitative trait loci for specific mechanisms of resistance to Orobanche crenata Forsk. in pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Crenate broomrape (Orobanche crenata) is the major constraint for pea cultivation in the Mediterranean Basin and Middle East. Cultivation of resistant varieties would be the most efficient, economical and environmentally friendly way to control this parasite. However, little resistance is available within cultivated pea. Promising sources of resistance have been identified in wild peas but their use in breeding programs is hampered by the polygenic nature of the resistance. The identification of molecular markers linked to the resistance would allow tracking of the underlying genes, facilitating their introgression into pea cultivars. The main objective of this study was the identification of genomic regions associated with resistance to O. crenata. A RIL (Recombinant Inbred Lines) population derived from a cross between a resistant accession of the wild pea Pisum sativum ssp. syriacum, and a susceptible pea variety was screened for resistance to O. crenata under field conditions during two seasons. In addition, resistance reactions at different stages of the O. crenata infection cycle were assessed using a Petri dish method. The approach allowed the identification of four Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) associated with field resistance, assessed as the number of emerged broomrape shoots per pea plant under field conditions. These identified QTLs explained individually from 10 to 17% of the phenotypic variation. In addition QTLs governing specific mechanisms of resistance, such as low induction of O. crenata seed germination, lower number of established tubercles per host root length unit, and slower development of tubercles were also identified. Identified QTLs explained individually from 8 to 37% of the variation observed depending on the trait. Host plant aerial biomass and root length were also assessed and mapped. Both traits were correlated with the level of O. crenata infection and three out of the four QTLs controlling resistance under field conditions co-localized with QTLs controlling plant aerial biomass or root length. The relationship observed among these traits and resistance is discussed.

Weed flora and weed management of field peas in Finland

The composition of the weed flora of dry pea (Pisum sativum L.) fields and cropping practices were investigated in southwestern Finland. Surveys were done in 2002–2003 in 119 conventionally cropped fields and 64 fields under organic cropping. Herbicides were applied to 92% of conventionally cropped fields where they provided relatively good control but were costly. Weeds were controlled mechanically only in five fields under organic production. A total of 76 weed species were recorded, of which 29 exceeded the 10% frequency level of occurrence. The average number of weed species per field was 10 under conventional cropping and 18 under organic cropping. The most frequent weed species in both cropping practices were Chenopodium album, Stellaria media and Viola arvensis. Elymus repens was the most frequent grass species. The difference in species composition under conventional and organic cropping was detected with Redundancy Analysis. Under conventional cropping, features of crop stand and weed control explained 38.7% and 37.6% of the variation respectively. Under organic cropping the age of crop stand and field location (y co-ordinate) respectively explained best the variation. Weeds could be efficiently managed with herbicides under conventional cropping, but they represented a significant problem for organic production. Mixed cultivation of pea with cereals is recommended, particularly for organic cropping, as it favours crop competition against weeds.;

Identification and detection of genetic relatedness among important varieties of pea (Pisum sativum L.) grown in India.

Among the cool season legume crops grown in India and the Indian sub-continent, peas are very popular and preferred by the growers as well as consumers for various uses. The third largest area in pea cultivation is occupied by India after Canada and Russia. Among the important and popular varieties of peas that are grown in India, several are from exotic background. But very little work has been done to carry out the genetic diversity present in the widely adapted Indian pea varieties using DNA markers. Twenty-four most popular and widely adapted varieties were subjected to RAPD analysis to find out the genetic relatedness among them using 60 decamer primers. All the primers used in our study were found to be polymorphic and seven of them showed 100% polymorphism. Out of 579 amplified products, 433 showed polymorphism (74.8%). On an average, 9.65 bands were amplified per primer. Cluster analysis based on Jaccard's similarity coefficient using UPGMA grouped all the tall type varieties together, whereas, dwarf types formed two different clusters based upon their pedigree. The arithmetic mean heterozygosity (Hav) value and marker index (MI) was found to be 0.496 and 4.787, respectively, thus this indicated the efficiency of RAPD as a marker system. Moreover, the calculated value of probability of identical match by chance suggested that about 10(53) genotypes can be unambiguously distinguish by employing 60 RAPD primers.

Expansion of pea cropping increases the risk of pea moth (Cydia nigricana; Lep., Tortricidae) infestation

Abstract: The pea moth (Cydia nigricana) is a host‐specific pest of pea (Pisum sativum). In Finland, the combine‐harvested field pea is grown on an area totalling 5000 ha. However, the area under pea cropping may increase substantially if pea replaces soya bean as a protein source for animal feed, which may result in pest and disease problems. In this study, the risk of pea moth infestation is evaluated by modelling field survey data. The observations were made in 2002 and 2003 at 93 and 90 pea fields, respectively, in south‐western Finland. The choice of the experimental fields was based on pea cropping data from 1997 to 2001 and included regions of both intensive and less intensive pea cultivation. The occurrence of pea moth adults in the fields was assessed with pheromone traps, and the percentage of damaged pods and pea seeds in each field was determined. The number of pea moths in pheromone traps and the percentage of damaged seeds increased linearly when the area under pea cropping during the previous year (within a 4‐km distance) increased, and decreased exponentially when the distance to the nearest pea field in the previous year increased. Furthermore, the percentage of damaged pods and seeds was higher in organic than in conventional fields. Expansion of pea cropping would change the spatial distribution of pea fields, thus affecting the risk of pea moth infestation. An increase in the scale and frequency of pea cropping increases the need for plant protection.

Lathyrus improvement for resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses: From classical breeding to marker assisted selection

Several Lathyrus species and in particular Lathyrus sativus (grass pea) have great agronomic potential as grain and forage legume, especially in drought conditions. Grass pea is rightly considered as one of the most promising sources of calories and protein for the vast and expanding populations of drought-prone and marginal areas of Asia and Africa. It is virtually the only species that can yield high protein food and feed under these conditions. It is superior in yield, protein value, nitrogen fixation, and drought, flood and salinity tolerance than other legume crops. Lathyrus species have a considerable potential in crop rotation, improving soil physical conditions; reducing the amount of disease and weed populations, with the overall reduction of production costs. Grass pea was already in use in Neolithic times, and presently is considered as a model crop for sustainable agriculture. As a result of the little breeding effort invested in it compared to other legumes, grass pea cultivation has shown a regressive pattern in many areas in recent decades. This is due to variable yield caused by sensitivity to diseases and stress factors and above all, to the presence of the neurotoxin β-N-oxalyl-L-α,β-diaminopropionic acid (β-ODAP), increasing the danger of genetic erosion. However, both L. sativus and L. cicera are gaining interest as grain legume crops in Mediterranean-type environments and production is increasing in Ethiopia, China, Australia and several European countries.

Orobanche crenata resistance and avoidance in pea (Pisum spp.) operate at different developmental stages of the parasite

Summary Orobanche crenata (broomrape) is an important constraint to pea (Pisum sativum) cultivation in the Mediterranean area, because little resistance is available in commercial crop varieties. Field experiments have demonstrated that some resistance is present in a number of P. sativum and P. fulvum accessions. The goal of this work was to characterize such resistance. The Pisum–O. crenata interaction and the resistance symptoms were studied under controlled conditions by using Petri dish and polyethylene bag assays. The content of phenolics and peroxidase activity in host tissue from infected and non‐infected plants were also measured. Resistance and avoidance mechanisms, acting at different developmental stages of the parasite, have been identified, including low stimulation of O. crenata seed germination, unsuccessful penetration of host roots, delay in post‐attachment tubercle development and necrosis of the attached tubercles. Infection caused an increase in the content of total soluble phenolics in some Pisum genotypes. Peroxidase activity was higher in resistant than in susceptible accessions. Results obtained with different Pisum genotypes showed that resistance is the result of several mechanisms acting at different stages of the infection process. Resistance is also related to increased levels of peroxidase activity in host roots.

Locating quantitative trait loci associated with Orobanche crenata resistance in pea

Summary Orobanche crenata (broomrape) is a root parasite that represents the major constraint for pea (Pisum sativum) cultivation in the Mediterranean area and the Middle East. The efficacy of available control methods is minimal and breeding for O. crenata resistance is considered the most promising strategy of control. Only moderate levels of incomplete resistance are available in pea germplasm. In order to identify and map the quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling the trait, 115 F2 plants derived from the cross between a susceptible and a resistant parent were analysed using isozymes, random amplified polymorphic DNA and sequence tagged site markers. F2‐derived F3 lines were studied for O. crenata resistance under field conditions. The linkage map was constructed with MAPMAKER V2.0. Of 217 markers, 120 could be mapped into 21 linkage groups. Linkage groups consisted of 13 to two marker loci covering 1770 cM. The mean inter‐marker distance was 17.64 cM. Simple interval mapping (SIM) and composite interval mapping (CIM) were performed using QTL Cartographer. The CIM approach using five cofactors was clearly the most efficient way to locate putative QTL. Two QTL for O. crenata resistance (Ocp1 and Ocp2), explaining only a moderate portion of the observed variation (9.6% and 11.4% respectively), were detected.

Plant Competition Effects on the Nitrogen Economy of Field Pea and the Subsequent Crop

We evaluated weed competition effects on the N economy of field pea (Pisum sativum L.) and the subsequent crop to address the paucity of such information. Plots were seeded to pea, canola (Brassica napus L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in 1997 and 1998. Weeds, augmented by cross‐seeding experimental plots with oat (Avena sativa L.), were removed with herbicides one and four weeks after crop emergence (WAE). The subsequent barley crop received 0 or 6 g N m−2 Mean percentage of N derived from the atmosphere (%Ndfa) for the 2 yr, estimated by 15N isotopic dilution, was 81% for the 4‐WAE treatment and 51% for the 1‐WAE treatment, indicating that a pea plant subjected to greater weed competition derived more of its N from symbiotic fixation. Total N fixed by pea was not affected by the time of weed removal, however, and total N uptake and seed yield were greater with early weed removal due to less competition for soil N. Early weed removal resulted in net N export in pea seeds (because of higher production) while later weed removal resulted in gains of 1.1 to 1.3 g N m−2 However, time of weed removal during pea cultivation had no effect on the yield or N uptake of the subsequent barley crop. Higher barley yield and N uptake following pea than following barley were mostly the result of greater N availability. Nitrogen fertilization benefited the subsequent barley regardless of preceding crop type.

傾斜畑簡易雨よけ栽培の現状と平張型傾斜ハウスによる栽培環境改善

Flat-roof sloping greenhouse was introduced to improve cultivation environment in sloping field tomato cropping. The results and problems were as follows:1) Rain shelters built in sloping fields have various structures. Their narrow working space had been a problem in some cultural works.2) Flat-roof sloping greenhouses have flexibility in designing and good for sloping fields. It was low-cost in spite of the high-intense structure. And they have good efficiency for production smooth ventilation and extension of the cultivation area.3) Flat-roof sloping greenhouses were introduced to improve the farm's profit by sweet pea cultivation in winter in addition to the tomato cultivation in summer.

Off-Season Pea Cultivation in Dir Kohistan Valley

Off-Season Pea Cultivation in Dir Kohistan Valley

Profitability of nipping in cultivation of pea (Pisum sativum)-an indigenous agro-technique in Manipur

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi] seasons of 2002-03 and 2003-04 at the experi- mental field of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University, Imphal, to evaluate the profitabil- ity of nipping in Makhyatmubi pea (Pisum safivum sub sp. arvensis L.) cultivation. There were 8 treatments nip- ping at 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 days after sowing and a without nipping (control). Among different treatment combinations, nipping at 30 days after sowing (T,) produced significantly higher number of branchestplant, pods/ plant, seed and stover yield than control. The highest net return (Rs 13, 799.5tha) was obtained from the treat- ment T, and followed by that at 35 days (T,) Rs 13,759.5lha. While lowest net return of Rs 5254.9tha was ob- served in the control.

Productivity improvement in jhum fields through integrated farming system

An experiment was conducted during 2004-07 to establish integrated farming systems in jhum (slash and burn agriculture) field in Peren district of Nagaland to identify suitable combination of crops and livestock for better eco- nomic return and employment opportunities. Seven cropping systems were tested and integrated in different farm- ing systems. The ricefivegetable peafibeans cropping system was most suitable under jhum land of Nagaland. In- tegration of fish, pig, dairy cattle, duck, and the crops such as rice, vegetable pea and beans showed maximum system productivity, i.e., 126.5 tlha (rice-equivalent yield). This was followed by cultivation of rice, vegetable pea and beans along with dairy cattle (free grazing), having system productivity of 105.0 tlha of rice-equivalent yield. However, least system productivity was recorded with cultivation of rice, vegetable pea, beans, hybrid Napier, win- ter maize and soybean together with dairy cattle, with rice-equivalent yield of 56.6 tlha. Except piggery, all live- stock components (dairy, poultry, duckery and fishery) recorded better economic viability (6: C ratio > 1). The farm- ing-system approach of land use, therefore, could be adopted for sustainable production of jhum fields, and combi- nation of rice, vegetable pea, bean, fish, pig, duck and dairy cattle was found to be most sustainable and profitable.

Viabilidade do cultivo da ervilha no norte de Minas Gerais

Com o objetivo de estudar a viabilidade de se cultivar ervilha destinada à produção de grãos secos e verdes no norte de Minas Gerais, foram conduzidos dois ensaios de competição entre cultivares na fazenda experimental da EPAMIG, em Janaúba. O primeiro ensaio foi instalado em 16 de maio de 1995 e foram avaliadas 20 cultivares e linhagens. O segundo ensaio foi instalado em 15 de maio de 1997 e foram testadas 15 cultivares e linhagens. A ervilha foi plantada no espaçamento entre fileiras de 30 cm, utilizando-se 30 sementes por metro. Os ensaios foram conduzidos em solo de média a alta fertilidade e fez-se adubação com 90, 140 e 80 kg/ha de N, P2O5 e K2O, respectivamente. Os ensaios foram irrigados por aspersão convencional, e foram utilizados defensivos químicos (fungicidas, inseticidas e nematicidas). As temperaturas médias durante a condução do ensaio de 1995 foram mais altas que as de 1997 e representaram bem as variações de temperatura do local. A emergência das plântulas deu-se com seis ou nove dias. Dependendo da cultivar e do ano, o florescimento teve início entre 23 e 45 dias após a emergência. A duração do período reprodutivo (início da floração à colheita) variou de 32 a 57 dias. O ciclo de vida, contado a partir da emergência, variou de 58 a 96 dias. Os rendimentos máximos alcançados foram 2,5 t/ha, em 1995, e 2,4 t/ha, em 1997, com uma taxa de produção máxima de 42,9 kg/ha/dia, obtida em 1995 com a cultivar precoce Majestic. Portanto, é viável o cultivo da ervilha no Norte de Minas Gerais ou em locais onde as condições edafoclimáticas forem semelhantes às de Janaúba.

Flame Cultivation as a Complement to Mechanical and Herbicidal Control of Weeds

ABSTRACT There is renewed interest in the practice of flame cultivation as a complement to mechanical cultivation and a partial or total replacement for herbicides in vegetable crops. This interest is fueled by three factors: (1) an increasingly negative public perception of herbicide use in vegetables, (2) a limited selection of herbicides labelled for vegetables, and (3) limited efficacy of some of the registered herbicides. Flame cultivation, in combination with mechanical cultivation, can replace or complement herbicides in some vegetable crops. Flame cultivation bursts plant cell walls as the weeds are heated. Most vegetable crops must be protected from the flame. This can be done with a height differential between weeds and crop, a water shield (water sprayed from a flat fan spray nozzle), or a physical shield. A field study involving flame cultivation of lima beans (Phaseolus limensis Macfady) and southern peas (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) has shown that multiple flame cultivations are effective ...

Nodulation studies on legumes exotic to Australia: the influence of soil populations and inocula of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae on nodulation and nitrogen fixation by field peas

Field investigations were conducted at two locations (soil pH 4.4–4.7, CaCl 2, 0–10 cm) in the cereal belt of New South Wales to assist in devising strategies to maximize nitrogen fixation (N 2 fixation) by field peas ( Pisum sativum L.) sown in acid soil. Counts of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae, the root-nodule bacteria for pea, already established in the soil showed that the populations at sites cropped with field peas one year earlier, 3 years earlier or never cropped with peas were 67, 9 or < 4 rhizobia per gram of soil, respectively. This confirmed previous findings that R. leguminosarum bv. viciae persisted poorly in acid. soil. When field peas were appropriately inoculated, the amount of N 2 fixation, calculated with 15N enrichment, was influenced by cultivar and time of sowing. Later sowing reduced N 2 fixation more severely than other indices of plant growth. Small populations of established rhizobia did not compete in nodule formation with the seed inocula at the sites where peas, had grown 3 years before or had never grown. In contrast, at the site where peas had grown the previous year, the population of established rhizobia was large enough to compete with the inocula in forming nodules but did so less successfully against higher rates of inoculation. Otherwise, increasing rates of inoculation above 65 000 rhizobia per seed did not further enhance nodulation, N 2 fixation or indices of yield. Regardless of any history of pea cultivation, it is concluded that it would be prudent practice, in order to ensure adequate nodulation and N 2 fixation, to inoculate field peas each time the crop were sown in acid soil.