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Field Pea Fertility Requirements
Nitrogen
Nitrogen fertilizer generally not required
Peas are an efficient N-fixing legume
Do inoculate seed with proper Rhizobia strain
Inoculant cost of $1.00 to $3.00/acre
Peas are very sensitive to fertilizer salts. Use up to 40 lb/acre of 11-52-0 (MAP), but
not DAP or any other fertilizer with the seed.
Avoid high N fields or N fertilizer rates because of reduced N fixation, and delay pod
set and maturity.
Cool/dry conditions can slow or even prevent nodulation.
Soil at time of seeding should have 20-30 pounds of N in top 12 inches
PROPER INOCULATION OF LEGUMES
Use the proper rhizobial strain
Iinoculants are sensitive to heat
Always store inoculants in cool areas
After inocculum application, plant within 3-4 days. If seed is treated with bacteriacides,
fungicides, plant immediately.
Most seed treatments are toxic to inoculum
Use a "sticker" to bind inoculant to seed a diluted milk or sugar water solution is common
There are many other types and self-sticking inoculants
Some stickers provide nutrients to rhizobia
Other Nutrients:
Adequate phosphorus (P) availability important
If soil test equals medium level
* add 15 to 20 lbs/acre P2O5
A starter of 15 lbs suggested by some (2X2 placement except in pea and lentil)
Sulfur
* high yield potential, add 15 lb/acre of SO4 to lower testing soils.
Zinc
Peas are not sensitive to Zinc
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