Iran develops new
varieties of cold-tolerant peas 

Iran’s Dryland
Agricultural Research Institute (DARI) has developed new varieties of
cold-tolerant peas, an official with DARI said.

Dryland Agricultural
Research Institute, in cooperation with its international partners, has
developed 10 new varieties of winter peas that are fall-planted, cold tolerant,
and have the highest dry matter yield in the early to mid-spring, Hamid
Hassanian-Khoshroo said. 

He added, “This variety
has a high tolerance to cold temperatures and enables the cultivation of
legumes in the autumn season. Some of these varieties can withstand
temperatures as low as -23 degrees Celsius (with snow cover).” 

Cultivating rainfed peas
or lentils through crop rotation in fallow lands contributes to the
sustainability of strategic crops like wheat and is highly effective in soil
conservation and fertility, Hassanian-Khoshroo further said.

As their name suggests,
Survivor Winter Pea (Pisum sativum) exhibit advanced winter hardiness. The
viney plants grow thin, hollow stems up to 4-foot-long. They feature curled
tendrils and purple to reddish-pink flowers. Peas (also known as field peas)
are generally known for their Nitrogen-fixing capacity that provides an extra
boost to your cover crop mix.

This cool-season annual
is capable of fixing over 200 pounds of N per acre. Peas are one of the most
moisture efficient crops at producing biomass. Their root system improves water
infiltration and the holding capacity of the soil.