
Peas Peas are one of the most important vegetables Zimbabweans can grow for export. They are legumes Legumes fix Nitrogen IMPORTANCE OF PEAS Peas have a lot of health benefits for human consumption. They can be eaten raw or added to a variety of dishes Peas have vitamins and antioxidants. They are good for heart performance. They are good for dealing with high blood pressure. They have a very high protein content VARIETIES Some of the common varieties to grow are Snowbird, Sabre, Serge, Alaska, Greenfeast and Recruit Varieties are also called cultivars FAVOURABLE CLIMATE Peas prefer cold conditions to grow well. Temperatures of 22 degrees or below (starting at 13 degrees Celsius) are the best for peas farming. The best temperature is 22 degrees Celsius. Extremely hot temperatures will lead to lack of growth or hard pods. SOIL REQUIREMENTS Soil should be fertile. The soil should have good drainage. Soil pH must be in the range of 6 to 7.5. The best soil type is sandy loam – clay soils can also cut it The soil should be deep LAND PREPARATION Land preparation includes the following Dig or plough to aerate the soil and improve drainage Harrow to break the clods (big lumps) Make ridges to keep water within the bed level the bed to ensure equal water distribution SOWING AND PLANTING Seeds must be sown about 2 to 3 centimeters into the ground The germination process takes place within at most 1 week. When sowing seeds, the in-row spacing should be 5 – 10 centimeters whereas the inter-row spacing should be 25 centimeters. Management Practices Watering is necessary but does not overdo it – water depending on the state of the pea plants. Generally, peas do not require lots of water. WEEDING - Weeding should be done occasionally as informed by the state of the field. MULCHING – to conserve soil moisture PEST CONTROL – to protect crops from damage DISEASE CONTROL – to protect crops from damage TRELLISING – to support indeterminate varieties PEST, DISEASE AND WEED CONTROL Aphids, beetles, leaf weevils, nematodes, and leaf miners are some of the common pests to look out for. Powdery and Downey mildew, fusarium wilt are some of the common diseases to look out for. As much as you can use chemical methods to deal with pests, diseases and weeds you can still use biological and cultural control methods. Most of the pests and diseases that affect peas can be dealt with by usingcultural methods like weed control. getting rid of affected plants and plant debris can control pest and diseases control.
Quiz by Elvis Munetsi
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