Organic on-farm pea vine variety trial
| Personnel: | Carol Miles Rei Nakatani |
| Cooperators: | Mark Music, Pike Place Market |
| Keywords: | organic,on-farm,pea vines,variety trials,website,education,vegetables |
| Abstract: | In 1998 and 1999, we conducted an exploratory study of pea shoot production with Hmong farmers at the Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington. Pea shoots are a traditional Hmong crop and are the top 4-6 inches of pea plants that are used in salads, stir-fries, and as decorative garnishes. When evaluating varieties for pea shoot production, consideration must be given to the length of harvested vine, the mean length of internodes, and the number of tendrils. In this study, we identified that: the desired length for commercial pea shoots is 15-20 cm (6-8 in) for the American market; pea varieties with a mean internode length of 4 to 6 cm (1.5-2.5 in) appear to be most suitable for pea shoot production; and varieties with few tendrils are preferred for the Asian-American market. Additionally, pea shoots are viewed as a vegetable and an edible garnish, and variety selection should be targeted towards both uses. In this study, snow pea and snap pea types were generally most suitable for pea shoot production and the varieties, Snowflake, Cascadia, Oregon Giant, and Oregon Sugar Pod II were all good. Further testing is needed to evaluate yield factors of all varieties. The number of marketable vines produced per plant and the number of harvests which the plant can sustain will be key components for determining yield.
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| Project description: | In 1998, the study was conducted on a commercial farm in Fall City, and in 1999, the study was conducted on a commercial farm in Tenino, Washington. In order to observe a wide diversity of plant characteristics, various types of peas were chosen for this study, including marrowfat and afila types. Marrowfats are used in the snack pea industry where they are deep fried, puffed, and sold as snack items. Afilas contain the af gene which replaces pea leaflets by tendrils and thus plants produce a larger number of tendrils. Also included was the variety HN 412, commonly grown in Taiwan for pea vine production. By observing a wide diversity of plant characteristics, we hoped to identify desirable characteristics for pea vine production. 12 varieties were included in 1998 and 7 varieties in 1999. Both years the trial was planted in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications. Plots were 1 bed wide, 1 meter in width (6 rows in 1998, 2 rows in 1999), and 3 meters long (3 feet by 10 feet). Pea shoots were harvested two times from 2 rows in the center of each plot, once in June 16 and a second time in July. After the first harvest, plants regrew, and the new vine growth was harvested in July. At both harvests, pea vine weight and vine length were measured. Number of nodes and mean node length of harvested vines were measured at first harvest only. Number of marketable vines, flowering, and node at which vines regrew were measured at second harvest only. In 1998, a visual evaluation of pea shoots and taste-testing was conducted by a group of 8 Seattle chefs at the Pike Place Market.
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| Outputs: | Project report http://vegetables.wsu.edu/peareport.htm |
| Impact: | Farmers are now producing pea shoots in Washington Commercially. |
| Institution: | WSU |
| State: | WA |