W?l s/sy Producing Processing Peas in the Pacific Northwest
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PUBLICATIONcurrent This pea harvester is unloading peas into a transport truck near Athena, Oregon most THIS For A Pacific Northwest Extension Publication http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalogOregon • Idaho • Washington
PNW 243 / February 1984 Green peas are an important crop for Table 1—1980 U.S. Production figures for four processing vegetable crops* freezing and canning in the Pacific Acreage Yield Price Northwest, with a farm value over $38 harvested per acre Production per ton Value million in 1982. This region suppUes about Crop (x 1000) (tons) (tons X 1000) (dollars) ($ x 1000) 20o/o of the total U.S. production. Har- vested acreage has ranged from 32,000 to Snap beans 255 2.76 703 156 109,668 42,000 acres for Oregon and from 50,000 to Sweet corn 377 5.68 2,141 53 113,473 80,000 for Washington in recent years. A Green peas 322 1.49 481 210 101,010 small acreage has also been grown in Idaho. Cucumbers (pickles) 116 5.22 607 166 100,762 The three-state region (especially Idaho) 1 Data compiled from Vegetables 1980 Annual Summary Acreage, Yield, Production and Value, also produces a large acreage of green pea Crop Reporting Board, ESS, USDA, VG 1-2(80). seed, which we will not discuss in this publication. From a national perspective, green peas for processing compare in farm value to Table 2—Comparison of average U.S. green pea acreage, yield, production, price per ton, sweet com, snap beans, and cucumbers and value for 1968-69 and 1978-7? (table 1). Green peas were valued at slightly Acreage Yield Price3 over $100 million in 1980. Processing the Years harvested per acre ProductionDATE. per ton Value crop increased the value to approximately compared (x 1000) (tons) (tons x 1000) (dollars) $ x 1000 $300 million. Total green pea acreage in the U.S. Canned declined from 423,000 to 374,000 acres 1968-69 271 1.24OF 335 108 36,180 (13%) from 1968 to 1979 (table 2). This was 1978-79 227 1.37 312 208 64,896 mostly offset by a per-acre yield increase of % Change -16 + 10.5 -7 + 92 + 79 12.4%; however, total green pea produc- Frozen tion dropped only about 3%. The farm 1968-69 159 1.37 218 104 22,672 value of the crop increased about 90%, 1978-79 147 1.54 226 209 47,234 primarily because the product price dou- % Change OUT-8 + 12.4 + 4 + 101 + 108 bled during that period. The greatest losses in acreage and Total production were in canned peas. Although 1968-69IS 430 1.29 553 104 57,512 frozen pea acreage dropped 7.6%, produc- 1978-79 374 1.45 538 208 111,904 tion actually increased 3.4% because of % Change -13 + 12.4 -2.9 + 101 + 94.6 higher per-acre yields. a Data compiled from Vegetables 1980 Annual Summary Acreage, Yield, Production and Value, A 90% increase in dollar value of peas Crop Reporting Board, EES, USDA, VG 1-2(80), and 1970 Vegetable for Commercial Processing, Acreage, and Marketing Guides, USDA Consumer and Marketing Service, March 1970, AMG 72. during the 10-year period is comparable to b that of snap beans and cucumbers (table 3). Price includes harvesting and hauling to processing plant. Sweet corn value increased 114%, which information: reflects both higher production and higher raw product price. The raw product price increase for peas has been necessary to Table 3—Percent change in U.S. acreage, yield, production, price per ton, and value for cover rising production costs. four processing vegetable crops from 1968-69 to 1978-79 seasons? Production of peas in the Pacific Crop Acreage Yield/acre Production Price/tonb Raw product Northwest can be divided into two principal + 22.4 regions, west and east of the Cascade Sweet corn -12.3 + 7.3 + 127.1 + 114.4 mountains, based on climatic differences Snap beans + 12.0 + 11.9 + 24.6 + 50.3 + 87.5 currentGreen peas -13.0 + 12.4 -2.9 + 101.0 and alternate crop considerations (figure + 89.8 PUBLICATIONCucumbers -3.5 + 32.2 + 27.5 + 49.4 + 90.2 !)■ 1 Production areas west of the Cascades Data compiled from Vegetables 1980 Annual Summary Acreage, Yield, Production, and Value. Crop Reporting Board, EES, USDA, VG 1-2(80), and 1970 Vegetables for Commercial Processing, include northwest and southwest Washing- Acreage and Marketing Guides, USDA Consumer and Marketing Service, March 1970, AMG 72. ton and the Willamette Valley of Oregon. ' Price includes harvesting and hauling to processing plant. These areas have excellentmost climate and soils,THIS and enough moisture for high yields with little supplemental irrigation. Yields consistently average slightly more than 2 tons per acre.For http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog The earliest plantings are in the Willamette Lyndeny. Bellin ham Valley, although spring rains can some- 'Mt. Vernon times delay and disrupt them. Sverett West of the Cascades, peas are grown in rotation with several other vegetable, small fruit, small grain, forage, and horticultural specialty crops. .Moscow Pullman* In the Willamette Valley, peas can be Dayton, 5 fLewiston harvested in time to grow a second cash Craigmont crop such as snap beans or sweet com. In western Washington, double cropping has been limited because later planting • Salem dates and cooler growing conditions delay Corvallis»'3 harvest. Production areas east of the Cascade mountains include the irrigated areas of the Columbia Basin (where acreage has dramati- cally declined),DATE. the nonirrigated wheat-pea rotation areas of the Palouse-Walla Walla region (figure 2), and southeastern Idaho. TwinFaUs-^A Production in these areas is affected by OFvariable weather conditions, particularly the high temperatures near harvest. Yields frequently vary between seasons, Figure 1.—Major processing-pea production areas in the Pacific Northwest, by county averaging about 1 !4 tons per acre, but (cities are shown basically as reference points): 1 Northwest Washington— Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish ranging from 0 to almost 2 tons. Peas in 2 Southwest Washington—Grays Harbor, Thurston, Lewis nonirrigated regions are usually planted 3 Willamette Valley, Oregon—Clackamas, Marion, Yamhill, Linn OUT early to take advantage of cooler growing 4 Walla Walla region— Washington: Walla Walla, Columbia; Oregon: Umatilla conditions and higher moisture. Precipita- 5 Palouse region— Washington: Whitman; Idaho: Latah, Nez Perce, Lewis tion ranges from 16 to more than 35 inches. 6 Southeast Idaho—Minidoka, Twin Falls IS In these regions, yields have not increased in the past 35 years because of the variable weather conditions and an increasing incidence of root diseases. Yields per acre in western Washington increased an average of 50% during the last 36 years and have been leveling off (figure information:3). Recent yield increases in production areas east of the Cascades were the result primarily of an increase in irrigated acreage and the elimination of marginal production land. In Oregon, Umatilla County is the most important pea growing area. Total acreage in Umatilla County has increased to about current 36,000 in recent years, with 9,600 acres PUBLICATION under irrigation. Average yields appear to be decreasing, along with a shift in production from western to eastern Oregon (figure 3). Adoption of new, better-adapted varieties most and increased use of irrigation have offset THIS much of the reduction in yields that would be expected from this shift. Figure 2.-/4 typical harvest scene in the pea-wheat production areas of eastern Oregon and Washington.For http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog 3500-1 September and mid-June. The wind- deposited, deep-loess soils in this area have excellent moisture-storage characteristics.
Crop rotations Rotations are important because they are an effective method in controlling buildup of certain weeds. They also allow for inclusion of soil-building crops in the production schedule. Another important purpose of crop rotation is to minimize the 1966-70 1971-75 1976-80 1945-50 1951-55 1956-60 1961-65 buildup of diseases. In the pea-wheat dry land rotation, Figure 3. —A verage green pea yields per acre at 5-year intervals in Washington and diseases build up because of the inade- Oregon, spanning 35 years of production (1946-1980) quately short rotation period. Ideally, green peasDATE. should follow a small grain, corn, or grass crop. Production of peas is closely linked with Soils Turning these crops under produces a their use. Consumption of frozen peas has considerable volume of crop residue that is Peas are grown on a wide variety of soil been nearly static, while that of canned OFhelpful in maintaining soil structure, types. Avoid coarse sands and fine clay peas has fallen. although it can sometimes cause problems soils, because of lack of moisture and in seed bed preparation. nutrient reserves in the former and poor Crops that result in severe compaction of drainage in the latter. Soil organic matter is soil during the harvest operation (such as beneficial for maintaining good soil carrots, cole crops, and strawberries) are Production environment structure. OUT less desirable rotations. In a number of the In Umatilla County, silt loam soils are Pea yields are greatly affected by weather growing regions where vine growth is primarily used, whereas both silt loam and conditions. The best mean temperatures for adequate, vines are baled for cattle feed. sandy loam soils are usedIS in the Willamette maximum yields are in the range of 55 to The general recommendation for minimiz- Valley. 65"F from bloom through harvest. Exces- ing soil-borne disease buildup is to include Deep soils predominate in the western sive heat during this period, for even a day, peas only once every 4 or 5 years in the foothills of the Oregon Cascades; these are can significantly reduce yield. A major rotation. Avoid planting beans before peas generally not irrigated and are planted early reason for consistently high yields west of because of diseases in common with peas. to take advantage of spring rains. the Cascades is the cooler mean tempera- Rotations in the Willamette Valley The pea-wheat rotation area east of the tures that occur throughout the production usually involve peas that follow small Cascades uses moistureinformation: stored during period (figure 4). . grains or corn. Peas are generally harvested winter for the following spring crop. The Another important environmental factor before July 10, so a second crop of snap is soil moisture availability during the majority of this moisture falls between critical bloom to harvest period. High temperatures and moisture stress reduce 80-i yield potential by flower and pod abortion and poor pod filling. Weather is an important factor in determining the occurrence of soil and current foliar diseases. Rainy PUBLICATIONweather during planting interferes with proper preparation of seed beds and herbicide incorporation, and it may cause soil compaction. Com- pacted soils have reduced air space and increased potential for waterlogging.most BothTHIS these situations increase probability of root rot. Root rot in the seedling stage can become severe, even when water- saturated soilFor conditions last for only 24 hours. Research in western Washington indicates that pea yields in that area may drop as much as 20 tohttp://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog 30% annually because of root damage.
Figure 4.—Comparison of mean monthly air temperatures in Walla Walla and Mount Vernon, Washington, and Corvallis, Oregon beans, cabbage, broccoli, or sweet corn can Table 4—Frequently used fertilizer rates (in lb/acre) and recommended ranges (in paren- be grown. theses) used in green pea production in the Pacific Northwest In western Washington, crops rotated Region N PzOs K2O S Mn with peas include small grains, grass forage, corn, potatoes, cole crops, carrots, West of 0-40 60-100 40-60 25-30 0-15 cucumbers, vegetable seed, and spring- Cascades (0-40) (30- 90) (0-90) (25-30) (0-50) flowering bulbs. East of 20-30 60-80 0-80 25-30 0 Races 5 and 6 of Fusarium wilt have Cascades (20-30) (0-80) (0-80) (25-30) been reduced under some conditions by rotating out of wilt-susceptible pea crops for 4 or 5 years. Experience indicates that the first pea crop after a rotation may In eastern Washington and eastern If a higher rate of potassium is required, produce average yields, but attempts to Oregon where peas have been intensively broadcast and plow it under before grow a second successive pea crop result in grown, inoculation is not usually required planting. Seedling injury from banded losses from wilt. because of the high existing population of fertihzer tends to be most serious in dry and Rhizoctonia postemergence damping off these organisms. coarse-textured sandy soils or when fertil- is often a problem when peas follow a More information on use of inoculants in izer is placed too close to the seed. crop-producing excessive residue such as legume production is available in OSU Sulfur isDATE. usually required and should be beets, potatoes, or minimum-till wheat. Extension Circular 1055, Inoculating Al- applied at 25 to 30 lb sulfate per acre. On falfa and Clover Seed (see "For further red hill soils of western Oregon, where reading," page 10). ammonium sulfate has been used for many Nitrogen fertilization is not necessary for OFyears on grass seed fields, sulfur require- Fertilization pea production when seed has been ments may be minimal. adequately inoculated with Rhizobium Detailed information on fertilizers is Manganese. Some soils in western bacteria and if large amounts of crop contained in OSU Fertilizer Guide 55 and Washington require addition of manganese residue have not been plowed under. If sod WSU Fertilizer Guide 27. Good fertilizer for normal pea production. Severe manga- or grain crop residues are plowed down, practices depend on soil tests and a nese deficiency causes marsh spot, a hollow work in 20 to 30 lb nitrogen perOUT acre with knowledge of field history. Commonly brown cavity in the center of the cotyledon the crop residue to aid in biological used rates are summarized in table 4. of mature seeds, and interveinal chlorosis decomposition. Nitrogen fertilization rates of foliage. Lime. Liming is of fundamental impor- IS above 40 lb per acre tend to reduce Soil tests can be used to determine tance in maintaining an acceptable soil effectiveness of Rhizobium inoculants. manganese requirements (table 5). Soils reaction (pH) to release essential minerals Do not apply nitrogen fertilizer in the used as plant food. Peas are sensitive to soil furrow with the seed as salts contained in it pH below 5.5. Low pH affects the may cause stunting or death of seedlings. Table 5—Manganese fertilizer broadcast efficiency of rhizobia-nodulating bacteria Nitrogen deficiency may occur if you plant that produce nitrogen from air. rates to correct Mn deficiency, based on peas in sandy soils in a wet, cool spring. soil tests using a DPTA extraction proce- Typically, foliage of a crop affected by Rhizobia are notinformation: as effective under these low soil pH is light in color and may have dure (half rates are used if banded with conditions, and nitrogen is leached out. phosphate fertilizer) symptoms similar to nitrogen dificiency. Application of 20 to 30 lb nitrogen per acre Aluminum and manganese toxicity are after planting can help to remedy this Soil test Mn also associated with low pH. Apply lime in situation. (ppm) lb/acre fall to fields you intend to plant the Phosphorus is essential for vigorous 0-0.5 50 following spring. Use dolomite lime when growth of seedlings, particularly during 0.6-3.0 30 soil tests indicate a need for magnesium. cool spring weather. Place phosphorus in a 3.1-5.0 15 The best soil pH for peas west of the current band 2 inches to the side and 2 inches below 5.1 + 0 Cascades is 5.8 to 6.2. A high soil pH can PUBLICATIONthe seed at planting time. When banding interfere with availability of manganese. equipment is not available, you can drill An excessively high pH may also result in phosphorus in with the seed at rates up to low soil-test zinc levels; however, pea with at least 5 ppm manganese are suitable 90 lb P2O5 per acre. production is seldom affected by zinc for normal crop development. Preplant In eastern Oregon, phosphorus and deficiency. Molybdenummost deficiency has broadcast applications of manganese sul- nitrogen are broadcast before planting been a problem in the Palouse, particularly fate have been an efficient method of THIS because of logistical problems in applying if the seed was grown in a molybdenum- correcting the deficiency (table 5). fertilizer during the planting operation. deficient area. Symptoms of manganese deficiency are Total phosphorus requirements are usually For apparent at early bloom. You can identify Inoculation. Inoculate with Rhizobium between 60 and 100 lb P2O5 per acre. bacteria in a planter box treatment to insure the disorder through plant tissue analysis of Potassium. East of the Cascades, potas- adequate nitrogen fixation, particularly in the youngest fully expanded leaves. Less sium is not required in most soils. Do not soils that have not previouslyhttp://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog been planted than 13 ppm indicates a manganese include potassium in fertilizer drilled in to peas. Use a fresh, live culture of the cor- deficiency. Foliar applications of 1 lb per with the seed. When you apply fertilizer in rect strain of Rhizobium bacteria for peas. acre manganese (as manganese chelate) at a band 2 inches to the side and 2 inches 10-day intervals control the disorder during below the seed, however, you may include the growing season. potassium at a rate of up to 50 lb per acre. Table 6—Usual planting and harvesting dates for the Pacific Northwest for green pea production area? Usual planting Usual harvesting dates Regions dates Begins Most active Ends Principal producing counties West of the Cascades Willamette Valley, OR 2/25-5/15 5/20 6/10-7/10 8/15 Clackamas, Marion, Polk Southwest WA 3/1-6/20 6/15 7/1-9/1 9/10 Lewis, Grays Harbor, Thurston Northwest WA 4/10-6/5 7/4 7/15-8/20 8/25 Skagit, Snohomish, Whatcom East of the Cascades North Central OR 3/10-5/15 6/5 6/10-7/15 7/25 Umatilla Palouse-Blue Mountain 3/1-5/20 6/7 6/15-7/15 8/1 Columbia, Walla Walla, Whitman, WA; WA, OR, ID Umatilla, OR; Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, ID Southeast ID 4/10-5/5 7/1 7/10-7/20 7/25 Minidoka, Twin Falls a Data compiled from Usual Planting and Harvesting Dates, Agricultural Handbook No. 507, USDA Statistical Reporting Service, Crop Reporting Board, 1977. DATE.
In the Willamette Valley, the need for Table 7—Common freezer pea varieties, days to maturity, and accumulated heat units manganese has not been demonstrated. required for production in the Pacific NorthwestOF East of the Cascades, manganese may 3 Heat units occasionally be deficient if soil pH exceeds 40° base to 7.5. Region Variety Days reach 100 tons West of the Cascades Willamette Valley, OR OUTSpring, Sparkle 71 1070 Venus 80 1210 Planting schedule Kodiak 83 1300 and varieties IS Trident 88 1410 In western Oregon, the earliest plantings Western Washington Early Frosty 64-74 1310 occur in the Willamette Valley, beginning Darkskin Perfection (DSP) 70-79 1450 in late February (table 6). Varieties planted Puget 69-79 1450 include Sparkle, Venus, and Kodiak, which Grant 71-80 1470 have been selected for early maturation or Conway 77-86 1590 tolerance to virus diseases (table 7). Early maturation is essential to avoid high East of the Cascadesinformation: temperatures before harvest and to accom- Venus 60 1210 modate processing plant schedules. Coronet 62 1220 Southwestern Washington's earliest plant- F-69 62 1220 ings occur in Lewis and Thurston counties Swinger 63 1330 in early March. Plantings in northwest Signet 65 1410 Washington begin in mid-April and con- F-6060 65 1450 tinue through May. The latest plantings are Darkskin Perfection (DSP) 70 1450 are in Grays Harbor County, where theycurrent Puget 70 1450 continue until late June.PUBLICATION a Heat unit values may vary between seed catalogs for the same variety. Major varieties in western Washington are Early Frosty, Darkskin Perfection, and Puget. The peak harvest period is during July and August. Fusarium wilt-resistant varieties such as Grant (racemost 6-resistant) and THISConway (race 5-resistant) are increas- ing in acceptance. Use of wilt-resistant varieties is the primary strategy in control- ling new racesFor of Fusarium wilt. http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog Extensive trials on freezing pea varieties Alaska and Early Sweet types are the Grain drills are generally used for pea are conducted at the WSU Northwest most popular early canning pea. Several planting. Some drills allow application of Washington Research and Extension Unit strains are available that are hardy and fertilizer with the seed. Drills should be (NWREU) in Mount Vernon. Yield, grow rapidly under cool spring conditions. properly maintained, calibrated, and in- processing quality, and plant reaction to Alaska varieties are generally single-podded spected for uniformity of seeding rate per Fusarium wilt races 5 and 6 are evaluated in (one pod per node). The seed is usually drilled row. an effort to assist industry in screening the small, round, and smooth. Large, rectangular-shaped fields are ideal many new varieties plant breeders produce Early Sweet varieties are distinguished for planting. In planting odd-shaped fields, each year. from Alaska types by their wrinkled seed. develop planting patterns that minimize East of the Cascade mountains, in This characteristic is associated with a double and triple planting in corners, Umatilla and Walla Walla counties, plant- sugary cotyledon. Most Early Sweet headlands, and narrow portions in the ings occur from mid-March to mid-May. varieties are also single-podded, and they field. Shut off the drill when necessary to Plantings along the foothills of the Blue have been derived from Alaska parentage. prevent large overlaps. Mountains take advantage of lower sum- The Perfection types produce higher It is not uncommon to find odd-shaped mer temperatures and higher precipitation. yields than Alaska or Early Sweet and may fields in which 10 to 15% of the area has Elevations in this area range from 900 to be either freezing or canning varieties. They been double- or triple-planted. Overlaps more than 3,000 feet. are usually double- or multipodded at each contribute to variation in maturity and Pea planting is scheduled according to fruiting node. These varieties have wrinkled color of harvestedDATE. peas and may reduce accumulated heat units (AHU). The base seed. grade and quality. temperature used in computing heat units The Perfection types tend to mature later for peas is 40oF; the difference from the than Early Sweets or Alaska. They can be average daily air temperature is summed up planted at the same time and generally OF daily to accumulate the heat units for the mature a few days later. Darkskin Perfec- Weed control growing season. tion (DSP) and its many related types are The number of heat units required for a typical full-season varieties. DSP strains Chemical weed control in processing peas variety to reach processing stage is fairly predominate east of the Cascades. does not follow a common pattern in the constant in a given locality from year to various areas where this crop is grown. This year. Heat units for common freezer pea OUT variability is caused by differences in weed varieties are shown in table 7. Using 20- to species, climatic conditions, cultural 30-year cumulative weather records, you Planting practices, soils, and growth stages of the can determine planting schedules. IS pea plant. All these factors affect herbicide In addition to temperature, processing Land preparation begins with plowing. activity on both peas and weeds. plant field representatives consider soil In western Oregon, fall plowing of ground Weeds that are common problems in pea type, rainfall, and elevation differences for early spring planting reduces the risk of fields include lambsquarter, pigweed, when they schedule plantings. Planting soil compaction because soil is worked mustard, shepherdspurse, and nightshade. schedules are much less precise in early when it has the best moisture content. In addition to these, Russian thistle, field spring than in mid- and late-season Fall plowing is not recommended in bindweed, tarweed, and catchweed may be northwestern Washington because the plantings. information:problems east of the Cascades. Varieties are selected based on suitability heavy alluvial soils become recompacted In western Washington, broadleaf annu- for canning or freezing, maturity, yield, with winter rains. Spring plowing is als are most prevalent and are usually disease resistance, and sieve-size require- generally practiced in this area. considered the largest problem. For many Prepare your seed bed fine enough to ments. Harvest maturity is determined by years, the standard treatment has been tenderometer (TR) measurements. A 100 allow even planting depth—but not so fine dinoseb amine salt (Premerge 3) applied that there will be undue loss in tilth, either pre- or postemergence. TR reading is considered best for harvest- ing peas for freezing; peas selected for aeration, and the drainage you will need as Dinoseb amine has little or no effect on canning are often harvested later, at a currenta protective measure against wet weather annual grasses (including wild oats), so after planting. higher reading. PUBLICATION other herbicides such as trifluralin (Treflan), Pea varieties preferred for freezing have Plant peas deep enough to permit contact propachlor (Ramrod or Bexton), and small-sieve, wrinkled seed, and a dark with moist soil. In early plantings west of triallate (Avadex-BW or Fargo) must be green color. A number of varieties grown the Cascades, you can often plant seeds as used. for freezing are not suitablemost for canning shallow as Vi inch. Do not plant peas Perennial weeds, because of different because of tendency for the skin to bronze deeper than 2 inches. Seeding rate is growth habits, are controlled before duringTHIS processing or storage. determined by the number of seeds per planting by various combinations of In recent years, dual-purpose varieties pound and percent gemination. mechanical, cultural, and chemical methods. have been introduced that are suitable for Peas are generally planted at 450,000 The herbicide usually used is glyphosate canning and freezingFor (these are not plants per acre with a range of 300 to 650 (Roundup), which controls many common currently grown in eastern Oregon). Can- thousand plants per acre, depending on perennial weeds including quackgrass, ning peas are usually light in color, and growth habit, potential weed problems, and Canada thistle, and dock. they are more prominentlyhttp://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog grown in the season of planting. This is equivalent to 4 In western Oregon, where fall plowing is to 9 plants per linear foot, with a 7-inch Midwest. They are usually classified as generally practiced, trifluralin may be Alaska or Early Sweets and early, mid- and spacing between rows. applied for winter weed control. This full-season Perfection types. provides some weed control for the earliest pea plantings in February and March. It is difficult to properly incorporate soil-applied herbicides in February and March west of the Cascades because of For further details on other herbicides, Never use methyl parathion on blooming excessively wet conditions. Apply triflura- rates and times of application, precautions weeds or in pea fields adjacent to other lin as soon as soil conditions allow and restrictions for use, and susceptibility crops being visited by honey bees. Methomyl mechanical incorporation. of weed species to all herbicides currently will also control aphids. Application of dinoseb amine salts is registered on processing peas, refer to Di-Syston can be applied as a liquid recommended immediately after planting. Weed Control in Green Peas, EB 1061, concentrate with liquid fertilizer, or in- These may also be used at a reduced rate Washington State University, or the jected on each side of the seed furrow at after pea emergence. Adjust the rates for Oregon State University Weed Control planting time to give systemic control of air temperature. Follow label directions Handbook, which is revised annually (see aphids and other sucking insects. Dimetho- closely in order to prevent crop injury. "For further reading," page 10). ate (Cygon) is commonly used for aphid Propachlor may be applied after planting, control east of the Cascades. but before the emergence of the crop and Wireworms are becoming a serious weeds. This material is especially useful in problem in eastern Oregon and Washington control of dog fennel. Insect control and in Idaho, where peas are frequently MCPA (Agroxone) amine salt is espe- Major insect pests of peas include the pea planted following a grass crop. Use of seed cially useful for control of flower bud leaf weevil, pea weevil, alfalfa looper, and treatments and application of fonofos development in Canada thistle after peas pea aphid. More complete information on (Dyfonate) prior to planting is recom- have emerged. Rates of this material also pea insects is found in PNW 150, Insects of mendedDATE. in infested areas. must be adjusted for air temperature. Peas (see "For further reading," page 10). When using any insecticide, pay particu- MCPB (Can-trol or Thistrol) water- Pea leaf weevils feed on pea foliage, lar attention to manufacturer's cautions, sduble amine gives better control of severely scalloping edges of leaves. Damage harvest-interval limitations, and limitations Canada thistle with more safety, but it is is most severe on seedling peas less than 8 OFon use of treated vines as cattle feed. also more expensive. This formulation is inches high. This weevil is most commonly For more complete information on insect usually applied when the crop has 6 to 12 controlled with methoxychlor (Marlate), control, consult the Pacific Northwest nodes but before the flower buds form. For phosmet (Imidan), or methyl parathion Insect Control Handbook (see "For further proper control of Canada thistle, apply (Penncap-M). When using methyl parathion, reading," page 10). MCPB before thistles are 8 inches tall. observe label precautions concerning honey Bentazon (Basagran) is available for bees. Pea leaf weevils are seldomOUT a serious annual and perennial broadleaf control. problem west of the Cascades. For Canada thistle and yellow nutsedge, a Pea weevil larvaeIS burrow into pods and Diseases split application is used. Addition of a feed on developing peas. Phosmet, methyl Root rot disorders. Several fungus nonphytotoxic oil will aid in yellow parathion, parathion, or methoxychlor are organisms produce root rot disorders and nutsedge control. recommended for control. Observe label wilting symptoms in peas. In the Pacific Apply bentazon when weeds are 4 to 6 precautions concerning honey bees when Northwest, these are most often caused by inches tall and actively growing. Do not using methyl parathion. To be effective, a complex oiFusarium and Pythium apply before the peas have three pairs of these insecticides must be applied soon species that live in the soil. No specific leaves. For best results, apply bentazon after first blooms appear and before pods resistance is available, but some varieties when temperatures are above 750F. start to form. Additionalinformation: applications may are more tolerant of root rot than others. In eastern Oregon and eastern Washing- be required to control migrating weevils. Careful soil management and frequent ton, trifluralin is the backbone of the weed Alfalfa and celery looper larvae are not crop rotation will help to reduce the impact control program. Best results are obtained particularly damaging to pea plants, but of these organisms. Avoid compacting the when it is applied by ground rigs and they can cause a serious contamination soil or otherwise restricting water penetra- mechanically incorporated. problem. Control is most effective with tion and aeration. Do not plant peas in the Where wild oats are a problem, use parathion when larvae are less than Vi inch same soil more frequently than every 3 diallate or triallate. Both are mechanically long. At about 1 inch long, their develop- years. incorporated about 2 inches deep. Diallatecurrent ment will be completed in a week to 10 Avoid warm temperatures at planting may beapplied in combinationPUBLICATION with days, and control measures may be time (above 65°F) and excess application of trifluralin. Barban (Carbyne) may be ineffective. Methomyl (Lannate, Nudrin) is nitrogen fertilizers; these may stimulate the applied when wild oats are in the 2- to used for looper control and may be applied development of root-rotting organisms. 3-leaf stage, usually 10 to 15 days after to within 1 day of harvest if necessary. Wilts. Pea wilt, caused by a number of emergence. most However, methomyl is a highly toxic races of Fusarium oxysporumf pisi (races Barban may cause some temporary material, and its application is not recom- 1, 2, 5, and 6) can be very severe. Resistant stuntingTHIS of pea plants; do not combine it mended in populated areas and where fields varieties are the only successful means of with MCPA. Metribuzin (Sencor, Lexone) are close to livestock, dwellings, or farm control. Most commercial varieties are is now registeredFor for postplanting, pre- buildings. resistant to race 1, while a limited number emergence weed control in eastern Wash- The bacterial insecticide Bacillus thuring- of varieties are resistant to races 2, 5, and 6. ington. It is surface-applied. iensis (Dipel, Thuricide) is also effective http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalogwhen loopers are small; it is nontoxic to people or animals. Pea aphids remove plant juices from leaves and have been associated with virus transmission. They are most commonly controlled with parathion or methyl parathion. Races 5 and 6 are known to be of Seed decays such as Rhizoctonia damping- East of the Cascades, peas are planted on economic importance only in western off are generally controlled with seed ground that is quite hilly, so self-leveling Washington and western British Columbia, treatments. Captan (Captan 75, Orthocide combines must be used (figure 7). Deliver while races 1 and 2 have been reported in all 75) or thiram (Arasan 75), applied as either your peas to the plant as soon after harvest pea-growing regions of Oregon and dry or slurry treatments, can be used. In as possible, to minimize damage from Washington. Consult seed catalogs or using any pesticide, follow all label heating and subsequent loss of quality. processing companies for information on directions and manufacturer's warnings Peas are harvested at about a 100 resistance of specific varieties to these regarding safety, rates, timing, and the use tenderometer reading. Processors grade for races. of pea vines as cattle feed. tenderness and freedom from debris and Mildews. Powdery mildew, Erysiphe For more disease control information, insect or weed contaminants. polygoni, may be a problem both east and consult the Pacific Northwest Plant Disease west of the Cascades. A number of varieties Control Handbook (see "For further have resistance to powdery mildew, includ- reading," page 10). ing Almote, Aspen, Columbia, Duke, Production costs Kodiak, Parlay, and Sounder. Sulfur dusts of green peas and wettable sulfur are effective chemical Harvesting It is difficult to compare pea production controls. costs between producing areas. Production Downy mildew, Peronospora pisi, may Harvesting is the responsibility of the in the dry landDATE. wheat-pea rotation area is also be a problem both east and west of the contracting processor's field representatives. important in bringing a cash return when The processor provides and schedules Cascades. Downy mildew can be a problem the only alternative is to clean-cultivate during cool, wet seasons, in contrast with equipment needed for harvesting. Recent fallowed land. Both variable and fixed powdery mildew, which appears during improvements in harvesting have been costsOF of production are low in comparison warm, dry weather. Resistant varieties and achieved through larger combines and a to those of northwest Washington and shift toward use of pod-stripping harvesters crop rotation help to reduce the incidence western Oregon (tables 8, 9, and 10). of this disease. (figure 5). Lower costs, however, are compensated Viruses. In western Oregon, pea enation Pod strippers eliminate the need for for by a lower yield potential in nonirri- mosaic virus is a serious problem in all but swathing ahead of the harvester (figure 6), gated fields east of the Cascade Mountains. and they significantly increase theOUT quantity the early portion of the harvest season. This Regularly revised cost sheets are usually virus is spread by the pea aphid. The of peas harvested by each machine. One available from county Extension offices. freezing varieties Almot, Aspen, Aurora, pod stripper has been shownIS to equal the In northwest Washington, pea produc- Mohawk, Perfected Freezer 60, Trident, harvesting capacity of three conventional tion is an important part of the total mobile viners. Kodiak, and Oregon 605 are resistant to agricultural activity of the region. Produc- this disease. Peas are harvested 24 hours a day to tion costs in this area, both variable and Some enation mosaic-resistant varieties, make best use of expensive equipment and fixed, are approximately twice those in such as Perfected Freezer 60 and Aurora, to be able to supply a constant volume of Walla Walla County, Washington. are susceptible to red clover vein-mosaic product to processing plants. virus, which occurs in a complex with information: enation mosaic and can cause severe damage. Varieties resistant to both viruses should be grown in western Oregon. Control of aphids is helpful in years when their populations are high. In southern Idaho, pea streak and legume yellows are two additional viruses current that have caused seriousPUBLICATION losses to process- ing peas in recent years. Both viruses are aphid-transmitted, especially from seed pea and alfalfa fields. Pea seed-borne mosaic virus is also of concern to growers and processingmost compa- nies. It is also aphid-borne and has been found THISin several commercial varieties in the Northwest. Others. BasalFor stem rot (black stem), Mycosphaerella pinodes, may be a problem west of the Cascades. Seed treatments with captan or Spergon and http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalogcrop rotations will help to reduce the incidence of this disorder.
Figure 5.—Pod-stripping pea harvesters eliminate the need for swathing. They increase the efficiency of the harvest operation and the quality of raw product (photo courtesy of FMC Corporation, Tigard, Ore.). Figure 6.—Swathers and windrowers are still used in much of the pea production areas of Idaho and eastern Washington and Oregon.DATE. OF
OUT IS
information:
Figure 7.—TTiis self-leveling green pea combine operates in the Palouse region of eastern Washington (front view, left; side view, right).
The categories of greatest difference are For further reading Capizzi, Joe, and Glenn Fisher, eds.. agricultual chemicals, equipment, and currentland Pacific Northwest Insect Control Hand- When ordering priced publications, costs. An average yieldPUBLICATION of 2.2 tons per acre book, Pacific Northwest Extension enclose the amount indicated and mail your is necessary to show a positive dollar return Publication (Oregon State University, order to the appropriate address: to management. The sale of baled pea hay Corvallis, 1983). Revised annually; also helps to increase profits in this area. Bulletin Department $15.00 a copy plus postage from OSU It is evident that peamost production in the Cooperative Extension Bookstores or Bulletin Dept., WSU. Pacific Northwest is a marginal enterprise Cooper Publications Bldg. Carkner, R. W., and M. L. Jarmin, 1981 inTHIS terms of dollar return. You should Washington State University Crop Budgets for Northwest Washington, consider pea production only as part of Pullman, WA 99164-5912 Washington State University Coopera- your total production package when you tive Extension Publication EB 0776 Bulletin Mailing Room evaluate itsFor worth in your farming enterprise. (Pullman, 1981). Single copy 50C from Oregon State University Bulletin Dept., WSU. Corvallis, OR 97331-4202 http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalogClimatic Summary of the United States: OSU Bookstores, Inc. Supplement for 1951-1960, U.S. Weather P.O. Box 489 Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce Corvallis, OR 97339 (Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1965).
10 Table 8—Comparison of production costs per acre for green peas grown in Northwest Hambidge, Gove, ed., Climate and Man: Washington and Walla Walla Count f 1941 Yearbook of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture (Washington: Costs NW Washington Walla Walla Co. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1941). Variable costs Hannaway, David B., William S. McGuire, Preharvest and Harold W. Youngberg, Inoculating Fertilizer and application Alfalfa and Clover Seed, Oregon State Lime (custom applied) 17.00 University Extension Service Publication Fertilizer applications 4.00 EC 1055 (Corvallis, revised 1982). Single Nitrogen 5.60 10.50 copy 25« plus 25« postage from Bulletin Phosphorus 30.02 Mailing Office, OSU. Potash 16.80 Trace elements 13.00 Kraft, J. M., and R. A. Giles, "Increasing Green Pea Yields with Root Rot Resis- 86.42 10.50 tance and Subsoiling," in B. Schippers, Pesticide applications ed., So/7 Borne Plant Pathogens (New Herbicide 10.50 4.72 York: Academic Press, 1979). Insecticide 1.58 3.82 Lorenz, W. A., and D. N. Maynard, Custom spraying 5.90 2.34 Knott's HandbookDATE. for Vegetable Grow- ers (New York: John Wiley & Sons, 17.98 10.88 1980). Pea seed 50.60 44.00 MacSwan, Iain C, and Paul A. Koepsell, Machinery, labor, repair machinery 3.84 4.57 OFeds., Pacific Northwest Plant Disease Tractors 26.76 7.37 Control Handbook, Pacific Northwest Labor 13.18 4.67 Extension Publication (Oregon State 43.78 16.61 University, Corvallis, 1983). Revised annually; $15.00 a copy plus postage Overhead cost OUT4.52 from OSU Bookstores or Bulletin Dept., WSU. Hail insurance 1.50 1970 Vegetables for Commercial Processing: Interest on capital 4.85 IS 2.67 Acreage-Marketing Guide, Consumer 203.63 90.68 and Marketing Service Publication AMG 72, U.S. Department of Agriculture Harvest (Washington: U.S. Government Printing Machinery 3.93 2.46 Office, 1970). Tractors 7.28 Peabody, D. V., Weed Control in Green Labor 6.07 2.27 Peas, Washington State University 17.28 information:4.73 Cooperative Extension Service Publica- tion EB 1061 (Pullman, 1982). Single Total variable costs 220.91 95.41 copy 25 1 Extension Service (Corvallis, 1983). Data derived from Selected 1980 Crop Enterprise Budgets for Walla Walla County, Washington, Revised annually; $15.00 a copy plus EM 4549, March 1980, and 1980 Crop Budgets for Northwest Washington, EB0776, January 1981 most postage from OSU Bookstores. (bothTHIS WSU Cooperative Extension publications). For http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog 11 Table 9—Summary of receipts, costs, and profitability per acre grown in Northwest Washington and Walla Walla County* Value or cost Price Walla WASHINGTON per Quan- Walla Unit unit tity NWWA County Gross receipts, green pea production Northwest Washington Tons 180.00 2.26 406.80 Walla Walla County Tons 160.00 1.00 160.00 1. Total receipts 406.80 160.00 OREGON Less: Total variable cost 220.91 95.41 2. Returns over variable cost 185.89 65.49 154.45 83.72 Less: Fixed costs Pacific Northwest cooperative Extension bulle- 3. Returns to management 31.44 -19.13 tins are joint publications of the three Pacific a Northwest states—Washington, Oregon, and Data derived from Selected 1980 Crop Enterprise Budgets for Walla Walla County, Washington, Idaho. Similar crops, climate, and topography EM 4549, March 1980, and 1980 Crop Budgets for Northwest Washington, EB0776, January 1981 create a naturalDATE. geographic unit that crosses state (both WSU Cooperative Extension publications). lines. Since 1949, the PNW program has published over 200 titles. Joint writing, editing, and production has prevented duplication of effort, broadened the availability of faculty OFspecialists, and substantially reduced costs for the participating states. Table 10—Production costs for cannery peas in the Willamette Valley* Inputs per acre This publication was prepared by N. S. Mansour, Extension vegetable crops specialist, Labor Other Total Oregon State University; Wilbur Anderson, Machinery item value cost horticulturist. Northwestern Washington Re- Cost factor hours value OUT search and Extension Unit, Mt. Vernon; and ($) ($) ($) ($) Thomas J. Darnell, Extension agent, Umatilla County, Oregon State University. The authors Cultural practices^ IS acknowledge critical review and suggestions by Plow .5 3.75 9.80 15.55 these colleagues: University of Idaho: L. E. Disc and harrow .3 2.75 4.20 7.00 O'Keeffe, professor of entomology. Oregon Springtooth and harrow .3 2.25 4.15 6.40 State University: James R. Baggett, professor of .5 3.75 8.35 Seed 96.75 horticulture; Ronald Bekey, graduate research Plant assistant, entomology; Glenn Fisher, Extension Pert. 36.15 entomologist; Paul A. Koepsell, Extension plant Insect. 3.40 148.40 pathologist; and Ray D. William, Extension Irrigate0 (2x) 3.0 12.60 28.85 Elec. 15.40 55.90 horticulturist, weed science. Washington State Herbicide Custominformation: 14.30 14.30 University: William A. Haglund, plant patholo- Custom 18.75 18.75 gist, Mt. Vernon; J. Eric Halfhill, assistant Insecticide (2x) entomologist, USDA, Yakima; Marvin Jarmin, d LiminE Custom 15.35 15.35 Skagit County Extension agent, horticulture; John M. Kraft, plant pathologist, USDA, Harvest costs (done by processor—no charge to grower) Prosser; Dwight Peabody, Extension weed scientist emeritus; and Robert Thornton, Exten- Other charges sion horticulturist. Trade names are used for il- Land charge' lustration only; their use does not constitute en- Operating capital interest (14%) 125.00 125.00 dorsement by the Extension Services of Oregon, General overhead' current 5.95 5.95 Washington, and Idaho. Management chargePUBLICATION8 16.65 16.65 Published and distributed in furtherance of the Cash costs 12.60 24.90 222.70 260.20 Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914, by Noncash costs 12.50 30.45 148.40 191.35 the Oregon State University Extension Service, O. E. Smith, director; Washington State 25.10 55.35 371.10 451.55 Total costs most University Cooperative Extension, J. O. Young, Cost per ton @ 1.5-ton yield 301.04 director; the University of Idaho Cooperative THIS Extension Service, H. R. Guenthner, director; Cost per ton @ 2.0-ton yield 225.78 and the U. S. Department of Agriculture Cost per ton @ 2.5-tbn yield 180.62 cooperating. " Data obtainedFor and computed by the Department of Agricultural Resource Economics, Oregon State The three participating Extension Services offer University, February 1981. Based on: 100 acres on 300-acre farm; 2 ton/acre yield; 90-hp tractor @ educational programs, activities, and materials $12.70/lir; 35-hp tractor @ $7.55/hr; operator's labor @ $7.50/hr; hired labor @ $4.20/hr without regard to race, color, national origin, or (including State Accident Insurance Fund, Social Security, etc.). sex as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act * See your Extensionhttp://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog agent or field representative for specific recommendations. of 1964 and Title IX of the Education c Generally hired labor. Amendments of 1972. The Oregon State i Lime generally applied every fourth year, Vi of cost charge annually. University Extension Service, Washington State University Cooperative Extension, and the ' Land charge is based on rental value but is considered a noncash cost. Cost of owning land, based University of Idaho Cooperative Extension on current market value, is $315/acre ($300/acre @ 10.5%). Service are Equal Opportunity Employers. f Approximately 7% of cash costs. $1/$1/$1 B Approximately 9% of cash costs.