Two trials were carried out at Janaúba (Northern Minas Gerais State) to evaluate the viability of dry pea (smooth and wrinkled seed coat) cultivation in this semi-arid region. The 1995 trial of 20 cultivars or lines was set up on May 16. The 1997 trial was set up on May 15, testing 15 materials. Thirty seeds per meter were planted in rows 0.3 m apart. Trials were set up on soil of medium to high fertility and peas were fertilized with 90, 140, and 80 kg/ha of N, P2O5, and K2O, respectively. Trials were irrigated by a solid set irrigation system and protected against fungi, insects, and nematodes by pesticides. The average temperatures during the pea life cycle in 1995 were milder than in 1997, and represented well the local temperature variations. Plant emergence occurred six or nine days after sowing. Depending on cultivar and year, flowering began between 23 and 45 days after emergence. The reproductive period varied from 32 to 57 days; life cycle (emergence to harvest) varied from 58 to 96 days. Maximum yield attained was 2,486 kg/ha in 1995, and 2,363 kg/ha in 1997, with a maximum production rate of 42.9 kg/ha/day achieved in 1995 with the early cultivar Majestic. Pea is therefore a viable crop for Northern Minas Gerais or in regions where climate and soil conditions resemble those of Janaúba.
Pisum sativum; yield; life cycle
