AK Bijaya Devi, Sinam Sharmila Devi, Jenita Thokchom & Konthoujam James Singh
Pea (Pisum sativum) is an important pulse crop of India grown during rabi seasons. It provides a rich and cheap source of protein particularly to the vegetarians and the poor. Pulses by virtue of their high protein content and easy digestibility, help to solve the problem of malnutrition. Since pulse proteins are cheaper than that of meat (animal; protein) they are often referred to as ‘Meat of Poor Men’ in developing countries like India. Pulses occupy a unique position in the agricultural economy of the country by virtue of their ability to fix nitrogen in symbiotic association with rhizobium. Not only meeting the nitrogen requirement by themselves, they also leave nitrogen in the soil which becomes available to the next crop. The symbiotic association between the leguminous plants and root nodule bacteria has been estimated to fix approximately 80% of the biological fixed nitrogen in agriculture areas (Burns and Hardy, 1975; Vanes, 1977). In Manipur, indigenous pea cultivar Makhyatmubi has been cultivated since the time immemorial. Makhyatmubi is cultivated during winter. Farmers sell the green pods at a high rate @ Rs 80-100/kg for green pods and Rs 150-180/.kg for dry seeds. So, they earn a good income.
Uses
In Manipur since time immemorial, pea variety Makhatmubi is being grown for use as vegetable and mature seeds as dal or other items. Young shoots are mainly used as vegetables in curry and fresh chutney. The pods are eaten as boiled or cooked vegetables. After harvesting, the remaining stovers are burnt and collected the ash. This ash is diluted in water and filtered for preparation of a special traditional dish known as ‘Uti’, which is the favourite dish of the State. Now-a-days, most people have started using sodium bicarbonate instead of this diluted water.
Climate
Optimum temperature requirement for growing peas is 13-180C. The plant growth stops at 29-300C.
Soil
It can be grown on light sandy soil, silt loam or clay soil. The soil should be well-drained and water logging should be avoided. Soil with excess moisture is harmful to the plant. The optimum soil pH is 6-7.5.
Sowing
It is a direct seeded crop. Seeds are sown at a depth of 2.5-3.0 cm. The optimum planting distance is 1.5 ft. apart rows and 1ft. between plants.
Manures and fertilizers
Pea does not require much nitrogen as it is a leguminous crop. About 20 tonnes of compost or FYM are applied at the time of field preparation before sowing along with 25-30 kg N, 40 kg P and 60 kg K per hectare. About 10 kg N per hectare may be applied as topdressing at the time of flowering.
Irrigation
The field is lightly irrigated about 2-3 days before seed sowing. Seeds are sown in the field when the soil has just sufficient moisture for seed germination. The field should not be irrigated after seed sowing otherwise it may affect the germination of seeds. The first irrigation should be given after 15 days of seed germination and later at an interval of 10-15 days depending on the weather.
Light hoeing and weeding are necessary during early stages of plant growth otherwise weeds may smother the crop. Generally, hand weeding or mechanical weeding is practiced.
Staking
It is a fast-growing long size plant. Staking is much required. However, plants can be staked by thread or bamboo. Staking by the thread is beneficial by the farmers due to the low cost.
Yield
The pea variety Makhyatmubi yields up to 15-20 tonnes per hectare.
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