Content
Alpha peas are an annual representative of shelling varieties that can be grown in most regions of the Russian Federation with the exception of the Northern and Ural regions. The crop requires certain care; if its rules are followed, it responds with a good harvest and taste. The variety is included in the State Register of the Russian Federation; it is grown for fresh consumption, canning, and freezing.
Description of the variety with photo
Alpha peas have been known for several decades. Specialists from the All-Russian Research Institute of Plant Growing and the Crimean OSS VIR worked on its creation. The variety was included in the State Register back in 1977.
Main characteristics of Alpha peas:
- semi-dwarf variety, shoots reach 0.5-0.55 m in height;
- stem simple, internodes shortened;
- saber-shaped or slightly curved pods;
- beans length 8 cm, width 1.3 cm, color yellow-green;
- dense green pulp with a sweetish taste;
- each pod contains 5-9 seeds;
- there are two buds on the peduncle, medium size, white color;
- the yield is 1-2 kg of pods per 1 m², half as many beans.
According to the State Register of the Russian Federation, Alpha peas are classified as early ripening varieties. From emergence of seedlings to full ripening, 50 days pass.
In accordance with the State Register of the Russian Federation, Alpha peas belong to canned varieties, but are also good fresh
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The State Register of the Russian Federation indicates that the Alpha variety is intended for commercial use. This is facilitated by the uniform size and color of the beans, as well as other advantages:
- early and friendly maturation;
- cultivation in open ground;
- resistance to cold, spring frosts;
- permission to grow in most regions;
- supports are not required;
- good immunity to ascochyta and fusarium;
- excellent taste;
- universal purpose;
- Possibility to use as green manure.
The variety has few disadvantages:
- low yield;
- instability to some diseases and pests.
Growing Alpha peas from seeds
Growing Alpha peas in open ground is not difficult. The culture prefers sunny areas; it can be sown under apple trees. It is important to protect the chosen location from the wind.
When to plant Alpha peas
Alpha peas are planted in open ground from the third decade of April, in the south from the end of March. You should focus on the climatic conditions in the region. For seed germination, a temperature of 2-5 °C is needed, the crop is not afraid of frost, and loves soil moistened by melted snow. Thanks to the early ripening period, sowing can be continued until the beginning of July.
Seed preparation
To prevent diseases, increase and accelerate germination, seeds are prepared before planting.When using independently collected material, you should immerse it in salted water (1 heaped tablespoon per 1 liter) for several minutes. Throw away all floating specimens and rinse the rest.
General algorithm for preparing pea seeds for sowing:
- Stratification. Soak the planting material for two hours in hot water. Maximum temperature 55 °C.
- Disinfection. You can use a solution of potassium permanganate, boric acid. For prevention, treatment for 15 minutes is sufficient.
- Soaking in clean water for 12 hours to speed up germination. This step is optional. If desired, you can use stimulants such as Epin, Zircon, Albit.
You can germinate peas before sowing - soak for 10-12 hours, wrap in cloth, keep at room temperature for two days
Preparing the beds and soil
Alpha peas feel better in sandy loams, loams and clayey areas. The recommended soil is neutral acidity 6.5-7 pH, a slightly acidic reaction is acceptable. If the indicators are too high, dolomite flour, lime, and chalk are added in the fall. When digging in the spring, you need ash.
You need to prepare a place for planting Alpha peas in the fall. Deep digging, removal of weeds, and application of potassium-phosphorus fertilizers are required. Fresh manure cannot be used. In the spring, it is better to dig up the area again, especially when the soil is heavy.
Sowing rules
After preparing the site and seeds, planting peas is easy. The algorithm is like this:
- Loosen the soil.
- Make grooves or holes.
- If fertilizers were not used in the fall, add a little compost or humus.
- Sow the seeds.
- Cover the holes with soil.
- Compact the soil.
- Spread the covering material. It is needed not so much for protection from frost and accelerating seed germination, but from birds.Dry branches can be used as shelter.
Planting scheme for Alpha peas 10x15 cm. Seeds need to be buried an average of 5 cm, focusing on the characteristics of the soil. The consumption rate of seed per 1 m² is 15-20 g. After planting, approximately 1.5 weeks pass until the emergence of seedlings.
Caring for peas in open ground
Alpha peas are unpretentious in care. Culture needs a standard set of activities.
Watering
Alpha peas need regular moisture. Orient the frequency of watering to the stage of the growing season and weather conditions. At first, it is enough to moisten the peas every week. As soon as the first flower stalks begin to appear, increase the frequency of watering to 2-3 times a week. Use 10 liters of water per 1 m². Frequent watering is needed not only during flowering, but also throughout the harvest.
When growing Alpha peas, the soil should not be allowed to dry out, as this will cause flower stalks and ovaries to fall off.
Top dressing
With proper preparation of the site, it is enough to feed peas twice during the growing season. You can use liquid organics by dissolving 1 tbsp. l. in 10 liters of water. Root feeding is carried out with this composition, using 3 liters per 1 m². Fertilizers are applied at the beginning of flowering, then when the first blades appear. At the same time, you can use organic growth stimulants, treating the crop with them using a spray bottle.
Another option is to use mineral fertilizers. The first fertilizing is needed when the seedlings grow to 5-8 cm. Fertilizer is scattered over the area and watered abundantly. For 1 m², 25 g of the mineral complex is enough.Reuse the same amount of fertilizer, but dissolve it in a bucket of water and pour it between the rows.
Topping
Pinching peas is necessary to increase the number of side shoots. The event is carried out until the stems reach a height of 20-25 cm. Only the tops need to be pinched.
Garter
Organizing supports and tying Alpha peas are optional. The variety is semi-dwarf. Thanks to their low height and interweaving of the tendrils, the plants are independently held in an upright position.
It is still better not to exclude the organization of supports and garter of Alpha peas. This provides the crop with more sunlight, which is necessary for growth, development and maturation. Growing peas with supports makes harvesting easier and gives the plantings a neat appearance.
Weeding, loosening
Weeds from pea beds must be removed regularly for better growth and development of the crop, prevention of diseases and pests. Proceed carefully, as pea stems can easily be broken or accidentally pulled out along with the roots.
After watering and heavy rain, be sure to loosen. Without it, a crust forms on the soil, preventing the penetration of air and water.
Disease and pest control
Alpha peas may suffer from powdery mildew. A white felt coating appears on the leaves and stems. There are several methods of struggle:
- drugs – Prosaro, Topaz, Revus, Tiovit Jet;
- folk remedies - onion peel, iodine, potassium permanganate, mullein infusion.
Plants affected by powdery mildew should be removed and burned to prevent the spread of the disease.
The Alpha variety may suffer from the pea codling moth. The damage is caused by insect larvae. As a result, the yield, market value, and seed qualities of the crop decrease. Loss of germination reaches 40%. The following drugs are used against the pea moth:
- Caesar;
- Tsunami;
- Bassoon;
- Alphas;
- Chord;
- Fufanon;
- Aktara;
- Shar Pei.
To prevent pea codling moth, it is important to observe sowing dates, harvest crops in a timely manner, and burn plant debris.
Another pest of Alpha peas is root nodule weevils. They infect the crop in the spring, emerging after wintering at a temperature of 3-5 °C. Dry and hot weather contributes to the problem. Insecticides used for control:
- Vantex;
- Clothiamet;
- Tibor;
- Lannat.
To prevent the nodule weevil, autumn plowing and loosening, regular weeding, and compliance with crop rotation are necessary.
Conclusion
Alpha peas are a shelling variety included in the State Register of the Russian Federation and approved for use in almost all regions. The culture is grown for fresh consumption and canning. It is planted with seeds in open ground; care must be comprehensive.
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