Exciting new markets for pulses, including export opportunities and pea-based snack foods, can deliver very high premiums for the right quality pulses, reports Bruce McKenzie.
Since every pulse crop grown in the UK should be able to find a premium slot to fill the increasing demand for human consumption peas and beans, there's real potential for growers to take advantage of a profitable option, according to Anthony Biddle of PGRO. Speaking at a series of recent Syngenta Growing Profitable Pulses meetings, he urged producers to pay extra attention in achieving the higher yield potential of modern varieties and assuring crop quality.
"Hold off sowing peas until soil conditions are warm enough for establishment and rapid growth without any check," he advises. "The end of March or into April can still achieve very good results. Beans however, really need to go in as soon as possible, ideally by the end of February; they are far more susceptible to the effects of dry weather during flowering, so deep rooting and keeping them free of disease stress is crucial."
Disease risk
Disease risk assessment will also pay a crucial role in targeting fungicide timing and product choice for profitable pea programmes this season, according to Syngenta Speciality Crops Manager, Bruce McKenzie. "With the premiums available you can't afford to risk disease hitting either yield or crop quality," he advised, "but with risk assessment and an eye to the weather it may be possible to refine what's applied and when, to maximise returns."
With higher prices and the drive for yields, Mr McKenzie believes all pea crops should receive at least one Amistar + Bravo application during flowering or pod set to protect against leaf and pod spot diseases, "but keep a close eye on the weather and if it remains wet, then a second application will pay dividends in yield and pea quality.
"The incidence and severity of Sclerotinia is increasingly reported in pulse crops - for both fresh vining and combining. A history of disease or where there are other susceptible crops in the rotation, including oilseed rape, potatoes and carrots, significantly increases risk and could influence the Amistar application timing," he added.