Peas are a cool-season crop that thrives best in mild temperatures.
Temperature Requirements:
- Optimal temperature for germination and emergence: 20°C, with a minimum of 5°C.
- Optimal temperature for vegetative growth: 12 – 16°C, with a minimum growth temperature of 4°C. Young plants can withstand temperatures as low as -4 to -8°C without significant damage.
- Optimal temperature during flowering: 16 – 20°C.
- Optimal temperature for pod development: 20 – 22°C.
Temperatures above 25°C can be stressful, affecting vegetative growth, flowering, and pod development. During and just after flowering, peas are particularly sensitive to high temperatures, which can cause flowers to drop or pods to remain small and underdeveloped with few seeds. High temperatures accelerate both technological and physiological maturity. Growth ceases at temperatures around 35°C.
Peas are a long-day plant, although cultivars that are neutral to day length have been developed. They do not tolerate a lack of oxygen in the root zone; therefore, on poorly drained soils, if rainwater saturates the soil to its maximum capacity for more than 48 hours, the pea crop can suffer significant damage.
Soil Requirements:
Peas thrive on various soil types, but well-drained soils are crucial to avoid waterlogging. For early cultivation, lighter soils that warm up and dry out faster in spring are preferable. For medium-late and late cultivars, heavier soils with higher water-holding capacity are more suitable, especially if irrigation is not available.
The optimal soil pH for peas is between 6 – 6.5, indicating slightly acidic soils. Cultivation is not recommended on alkaline soils (pH above 8), and for acidic soils (pH below 5), liming (application of lime) is recommended.
In continental regions, peas are typically grown in the spring, while in the Mediterranean region, they are sown in the fall, winter, or early spring, depending on the location.
