The forage pea (Pisum sativum var. arvense L.) is a tasty annual forage plant used in animal feeding. It is consumed as green forage, dried hay, or silage; its seeds are used in the production of compound feeds for cattle and poultry or can be cracked and fed directly to animals. Forage pea can also be incorporated into the soil during its lush growth period and used as green manure to improve unproductive fields.
The main advantage of the ÖZKAYNAK forage pea variety is that it can be sown in winter wherever winter barley is not damaged by cold. It can recover from non-lethal cold damage thanks to its strong regeneration ability. Its hay and seed yields are generally higher than those of common and Hungarian vetch, and this advantage increases under drought or other harsh conditions. The forage pea can be grown alone or in mixtures as a main, intermediate, or second crop. Under irrigated conditions, it can be sown directly after the main crop for hay or green manure production.
ÖZKAYNAK forage pea grows to an average height of 60–80 cm, has reddish-purple flowers, gray round seeds, and a thousand-seed weight of 100–150 grams.
Sowing Time: The best time is the same as for winter cereals.
Sowing Depth: 5–8 cm after soil preparation (same as cereals).
Irrigation: No irrigation is needed for winter sowing, but irrigation increases yield 2–3 times; excess water encourages fusarium and other fungal diseases.
Seed Quantity: 12–15 kg/da for hay production. Adding 2–3 kg/da of barley, oats, rye, or triticale prevents lodging.
Fertilization: Apply 15 kg/da of DAP (Diammonium phosphate 18-46) before sowing. Avoid direct contact between fertilizer and seeds. Generally, no fertilizer is required for second or intermediate crops.
Pest Control: For seed production, control pea weevil (Bruchus pisorum) during flowering and after harvest. No pesticide is needed for hay production.
Harvest: Harvest when 2–3 pods are fully filled. If lodging or drying problems occur, harvest earlier.
Dry Hay Yield: 200–300 kg/da under dry conditions; 600–900 kg/da under irrigation.
Protein Ratio: 20–22 % crude protein in well-dried hay; 22–25 % in seeds.
