EDIBLE-POD PEA

PRODUCTION
IN CALIFORNIA
Mark Gaskell,
University of California Cooperative Extension
Farm Advisor, Santa Barbara County

PRODUCTION AREAS AND SEASONS round, growth and development are considerably
slower during winter months. Flowering and pod set
Edible-pod peas (Pisum sativum L.) include the types of are sometimes interrupted by frosts, but plants recover
peas variously referred to as snow peas, sugar peas, and produce normally if frosts are brief.
and China peas (P. sativum var. saccharatum), and the Plants may tolerate some high temperatures during
sugar snap type (P. sativum var. macrocarpum). All of vegetative growth, but flowering is initiated when
these peas are eaten as whole tender pods without plants are smaller. Pod and seed development is so
shelling. Sugar snap peas have fuller, fatter pods with rapid that quality and yield are reduced by high tem-
individual peas that are allowed to develop more than peratures. High temperatures in desert and inland
the other three types, which have flatter pea pods. All growing areas severely restrict the growing season. In
are tender and relatively sweet when eaten fresh. milder areas, yields and quality may be adversely
affected for short periods by unusual warm weather.
EDIBLE-POD PEA ACREAGE AND VALUE Edible-pod peas are also affected by humidity.
Frequent rains, early morning dew, extended periods of
Many areas of California produce small acreages of edi- cloudy weather, and high humidity increase fungal dis-
ble-pod peas, but only San Luis Obispo and Santa ease pressure. In California, the more frequent rainfall
Barbara Counties reported 1995 production figures to and higher humidity appear during the winter months
the California Agricultural Statistics Service. when lower temperatures slow fungal disease develop-
ment. Disease pressure is generally higher during the
Average yield Gross
rainy winter months.
Year Acreage (tons/acre) value
1995 4,447 2.62 $20,996,600
1994 3,886 2.67 $16,336,900 VARIETIES AND PLANTING TECHNIQUES
1993 4,445 2.61 $24,888,400
Management is similar for both main types of edible-
Source: Annual County Agricultural Commissioner Report Data
pod peas. Snow pea and sugar snap types are harvest-
for San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties (Sacramento: Cal-
ed at a fresh, green, tender stage and eaten as whole
ifornia Department of Food and Agriculture, 1993–1995).
pods. The snow pea has traditionally been used cooked
CLIMATIC REQUIREMENTS in various Asian dishes, and increasingly the peas are
used fresh and cooked in a wide array of dishes. Sugar
Edible-pod peas are grown every month of the year in snap peas are also used fresh and cooked in diverse
some mild areas of California. The peas are grown from dishes.
spring to fall in northern growing areas and in the The most frequently planted snow pea cultivar
Sierra foothills, and during cooler spring and fall peri- in California is Mammoth Melting Sugar, but
ods in the inland valleys of California. Edible-pod peas smaller acreages of Oregon Sugar Pod II are also
are grown year-round in central and southern coastal found. The Sugar Snap cultivar is the most widely
areas. planted sugar snap type, although other varieties
Edible-pod peas require consistently cool growing such as Sugar Daddy and Cascadia are occasionally
conditions and do not produce well in hotter areas. grown. Commercial production of both types of
Peas are cool-season vegetables with optimum growing edible-pod pea is dominated by tall, vigorous culti-
temperatures between 55° and 65°F (13° and 18°C). In vars that require trellising. Several other sugar
milder growing areas where peas are grown year- snap pea cultivars—Sugar Bon, Sugar Mel, and

University of California • Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Publication 7233
Edible-Pod Pea Production in California • 2
Sugar Ann—have been grown in trials, but they do IRRIGATION
not consistently produce quality equal to that of
Sugar Snap. Most edible-pod peas are grown using drip irrigation.
Most snow peas and sugar snap peas are grown on Sprinkler and furrow irrigation are less-used alterna-
trellises because yields and quality tend to be higher than tives. Frequent irrigation aggravates root and stem rot
for peas grown on the ground. Shorter-statured cultivars problems on heavy soils and generally increases costs.
are occasionally planted without trellises, but quality is Peas need a consistent supply of water for optimum
less consistent and production is markedly lower. production and quality. Once stressed by a lack of
water, plants will not recover and produce normally.
CULTURE Edible-pod peas are best adapted to cooler growing
areas where evapotranspiration (ET) requirements sel-
Commercial plantings of edible-pod peas are gen- dom exceed 1.5 inches per week. Consult rainfall and
erally small because of high hand labor require- ET data from a nearby CIMIS field station.
ments for trellising and picking. Individual fields
typically range from 1 to 10 acres (2.5 to 25 ha), but FERTILIZATION
some growers may stage multiple plantings for
continuous production. Common practice is to apply 200 to 400 lb per acre (224
For the most part, peas are planted on flat ground in to 448 kg/ha) of granular, complete fertilizer (e.g.,
coastal areas and on raised beds in inland areas. Snow 15–15–15) as a preplant band-incorporated application,
peas and sugar snaps typically are planted in widely followed by one or two banded applications of nitrogen
spaced rows and trained on trellises. The trellises per- (N) or periodic applications of soluble N through the
mit plant foliage to dry out, reducing the threat of drip system as CAN 17 or UN 32. Typical total N
mildew and other fungal disease. amounts range from 75 to 130 lb per acre (84 to 146
Single trellis rows are usually spaced 6 feet (2 m) kg/ha). It is best to use soil analysis to guide fertiliza-
apart, since this is the smallest spacing that will still tion for phosphorus, potassium, and other secondary
accommodate a tractor for spraying and cultivation. and minor elements.
Within the row, seeds are spaced every 3 to 4 inches Peas are high-value fresh market legumes and
(7.5 to 10 cm) for an estimated population of 20,000 to although they fix atmospheric N, the fixation process is
30,000 plants per acre (49,000 to 75,000 plants per slow to reach an optimum rate so adequate N for high
hectare). Some smaller-scale growers plant their rows yields may not be available through fixation alone. Best
closer together and use hand-operated spray equip- yields will come with additional early N fertilization,
ment. and the use of fertilizer as the primary N source is cost
Peas typically require 45 to 55 days from emergence effective. No available research data give a clear indica-
to first harvest during the summer and 60 days or more tion of the optimum N fertilization rates for edible-pod
during the winter months. peas in California.

SOILS INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT

Edible-pod peas are grown on a wide range of soil Insect Management. Leafminers (Liriomyza
types throughout the state. Plantings on soils having huidobrensis) cause damage to leaves, stems, and fruit.
a higher percentage of clay may have more prob- They may constitute a serious problem in coastal areas
lems with root and stem rots as well as higher in midsummer months when leafminers migrate from
humidity in the lower leaf canopy. Such plantings surrounding vegetable crops. Pea aphids (Microsiphum
often do better when planted on raised beds. The pisi) cause problems by weakening the plant through
difficulty of managing the crop on a heavier soil is feeding, but aphids also are vectors of virus diseases
often aggravated by excessive moisture or poor irri- (see below). Pea leaf weevils (Sitona lineata) feed on
gation management. Fusarium root and stem rot dis- foliage, especially seedling peas, severely scalloping
eases may also be aggravated by poor aeration and edges of leaves. More-mature plants may tolerate wee-
excessive soil moisture. Sandy soils tend to warm vils when feeding is confined to lower leaves. Twelve-
more quickly in the spring and may yield earlier spotted cucumber beetles (Diabrotica undecimpunctata)
harvests than clay soils. Sandy soils also require are common in California. In mild areas, they overwin-
close attention to water management and more fre- ter and can be found every month of the year. Beetles
quent irrigation to prevent moisture stress and inter- feed on leaves and are especially damaging to young
ruption in foliage or fruit growth. plantings.
Edible-Pod Pea Production in California • 3
Western flower thrips (Franklinella occidentalis) and Ascochyta leaf spot, caused by Ascochyta sp., is the
onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) are minute insects that attack most common foliar disease of edible-pod peas.
flowers and young pods. Thrips feeding weakens Symptoms include small black spots that enlarge into
plants and scars developing pods. The damaged pods concentric dark rings surrounding lighter-colored cen-
may not be readily apparent at harvest, but scars ters. Stems may exhibit brownish purple elliptical
become more visible during postharvest transport to lesions, often with concentric rings. The disease is
market. Damage from thrips lowers the market value of aggravated by extended periods of cloudy or rainy
the pea pods. Their feeding punctures may also be a weather. Fixed copper is the only registered fungicide
point of entry for fungal disease organisms such as that may have some effect on the Ascochyta organism.
Ascochyta. Thrips often migrate into peas from sur- There also are reports of Ascochyta developing as dis-
rounding vegetable crops and weeds. Thus, some mea- tinct black stippling, and of black spots that occasional-
sure of control depends on the location of the planting ly develop as a physiological disorder with no apparent
and thrips pressure in surrounding fields. Control mea- causal disease organism.
sures for thrips most often include timely application of Powdery mildew (Erysiphe polygoni) is common in
a registered insecticide. pea fields during warmer months when fog or humidi-
Beet Armyworm (Spodoptera exigua) larvae attack ty is present. This disease can be a problem at any time
stems and leaves of developing pea plants. In warm in coastal growing areas, and in spring in the inland
weather, populations may increase rapidly, causing valleys. Growers recognize it as a gray-white powdery
severe damage to affected plantings. Spider mites fre- growth on upper and lower leaf or stem surfaces. If not
quently move in from surrounding grape plantings in controlled, the disease completely destroys the foliage,
fall as grape plants mature. Centipedes and wire- and any fruit that survives will be sunburned and dis-
worms are the most important soil pests of peas. In colored. The loss of productive vines also severely
some areas, plant damage and even loss of stand may restricts fruit yield and size. Fungicides are the only
be high. control for powdery mildew at present, although seed
Disease Management. Peas are affected by both soil- companies are developing mildew-resistant varieties.
borne and foliar disease organisms. The soilborne Fields should be scouted frequently and carefully, and
organisms cause seed rot, seedling damping off, and registered fungicides applied at the first sign of the dis-
root and stem rot. Seed pretreatment and soil fungicide ease.
treatment are the most effective practices for control of Downy Mildew (Peronospora pisi), is caused by a fun-
seed rot and damping off. Consult a licensed pest con- gus that survives on diseased plant refuse in the soil
trol advisor for currently registered fungicides for seed and is carried on the seed. Symptoms include pale yel-
or soil treatment. low lesions on the upper leaf surface, which eventually
Fusarium root and stem rots are soil borne diseases turn brown. A white or violet mycelium growth is often
caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. pisi. visible on the underside of the leaf. Downy mildew
The disease may affect the root or lower stem, plug- may also become systemic in terminal growth. New
ging translocation tissue and causing plants to yellow growth is distorted and stunted, and is covered with a
from the ground up and eventually to wilt and die gray-purple fuzz of sporulating fungus. When pods are
prematurely. When the lower part of the stem is cut, affected, brown or black spotting is apparent. Infected
the vascular system is yellow-brown. It is not uncom- leaves turn yellow and die. Stems may be distorted and
mon to see entire fields affected by Fusarium when stunted. Brown blotches appear on the pods, which
edible-pod peas are grown a third or fourth time in may be distorted. Use seed from clean fields. Rotating
the same location. Yellowing may start early when the to non-legume crops for 2 or 3 years reduces disease
plants are young, and progressively extend to most or pressure. Burn or rake off diseased pea straw after har-
all of the plant. Fusarium-affected fields fail to pro- vest. A fungicidal seed treatment may help prevent
duce commercially acceptable yields. There is no con- early infection.
trol for Fusarium other than rotation of the field out of A number of viruses affect edible-pod peas and all
peas for six or more years. Fusarium symptoms are have similar symptoms, including mottled color, crin-
more severe during the warmer months. On the cen- kled leaves, twisted pods, and stunted plants. Pea
tral coast, fields that are unproductive during July and Enation Mosaic Virus (PEMV) is transmitted by the pea
August due to Fusarium pressure, sometimes will aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum). Alternate hosts of PEMV
nevertheless produce normally during the winter include sweet peas and a number of legume forage
months. All pea fields eventually succumb to species. Sweet peas grown for flowers and legume-
Fusarium, and land availability on the central coast based green manure may harbor the virus, and aphids
may limit rotation possibilities. may be blown some distance by the wind after feeding
Edible-Pod Pea Production in California • 4
on an infected host. Pea Streak Virus (PeSV) may ically yield 500 to 700 10 lb cartons of marketable pods
appear in fall plantings as brown-purple streaking near per acre (5600 to 7800 kg/ha). More successful growers
the tip of the plant. Leaves and pods are shriveled, will often harvest 1000 cartons per acre, and yields of
wrinkled, or discolored. 1400 cartons per acre are possible. Average trellised
A number of different viruses are reported to induce sugar snap pea yields are typically 400 to 600 cartons
streak symptoms in peas. Cucumber Mosaic Virus per acre, generally running 100 to 200 cartons per acre
(CmV) is increasingly common in cucurbits and pep- behind snow pea yields.
pers in coastal growing areas, and has also been Variations in edible-pod pea yields are often related
observed in edible-pod peas. There is no known con- to time of the year or number of plantings on the same
trol, but viruses can be avoided by planting peas in piece of land. Yields are best in spring and fall plant-
fields isolated from aphid or virus pressure, particular- ings, and yields tend to fall due to root rot diseases
ly during the warmer months when aphid pressure is when peas are repeatedly planted on the same plot of
highest. There is no known control for virus disease land. Yield is related to how long the field continues to
once plants are infected. Virus transmission is specific produce; the best fields may be picked 15 to 20 times
however, and a given virus—CmV, for example—is with 3 to 5 days between pickings and as many as 7 to
only transmitted by aphids. Resistant cultivars such as 10 days between pickings in winter. Preventive spray-
Oregon Sugar Pod do not consistently outperform ing for mildew or Ascochyta may also improve yields,
Mammoth Melting Sugar. but the market price may affect the grower’s willing-
Many of these viruses are present in native plant ness to apply preventive sprays.
species, rangeland, or other crop plants and are readily Peas are first harvested when sufficient pods have
transmitted to developing peas as the insect vectors reached the critical 31⁄2- to 4-inch size. The market often
move into pea fields. If possible, avoid growing other prefers a smaller pea than is typically shipped in
virus hosts in the same area prior to pea planting in California, and may pay price premiums of as much as
order to preclude movement of virus from one crop to $4 per carton for smaller sizes. Some price premium is
another. It is always desirable to plant crops of peas often paid for offshore peas from Guatemala or Mexico,
upwind of previously planted cucurbit crops. Other where inexpensive labor permits the harvest of smaller
crops (peppers, for example) may harbor a number of pods and more careful hand grading of the harvested
viruses that also affect neighboring pea crops. product to separate culls. Specialty packs of de-calyxed
Contact the University of California Statewide peas are increasing in popularity. Peas may be packed
Integrated Pest Management Project (worldwide web: in 10 lb cartons or in 4 to 6 oz clamshell packs, which
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu) for the most recent typically are sold at a premium price.
information on integrated pest management of edible- Other desirable grading attributes include uniform
pod peas. Check pesticide labels for restrictions or size of pods, thin pods that are free of puffiness (which
updated registration information on appropriate pesti- indicates overdeveloped pods), the absence of black
cides. spots, and the presence of fresh green calyxes.
Harvested peas should be rapidly precooled to 32° to
HARVESTING AND HANDLING 34°F (0° to 1°C) with forced air or by hydro-cooling.
Optimum storage conditions for edible-pod peas are
Sugar pea production history across a broad range of 32° to 36°F (0° to 2°C) and 90 to 98 percent relative
environments has shown that the trellised varieties typ- humidity.

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