Identifying regionally adapted winter pea and faba bean genotypes that maximize grain and cover cropping potential

View the project final report

• 2014 annual report
• 2015 annual report

Commodities

• Agronomic: barley, oats, peas (field, cowpeas), wheat
• Miscellaneous: faba beans

Practices

• Animal Production: winter forage
• Crop Production: cover crops, crop rotation, intercropping
• Education and Training: extension
• Production Systems: integrated crop and livestock systems
• Sustainable Communities: new business opportunities

Winter pea (Pisum sativum L.) and faba bean (Vicia faba L.) are winter legume crops which have desirable attributes for use as grain and cover crops in the Southeastern United States. Farmer adoption in the region has been limited by production constraints of available cultivars. A regional field screen of these winter legumes has not occurred. Field screening of available winter pea and faba bean germplasm will allow for identification of genotypes that experience maximum growth potential in the Southeast. Field trials will be initiated to identify genotypes that exhibit promising characteristics for utilization as grain and cover crops in the Southeast. Fields trials will occur over two growing seasons at three research locations throughout North Carolina. Genotypes will be assessed for biomass production and disease susceptibility. Nitrogen analysis will occur on all genotypes to obtain estimates on potential for nitrogen provision to the subsequent cash crop. Grain will be harvested from all genotypes and nutritive analysis will occur to characterize the value of grain in feed rations. Results will catalyze cultivar development of winter pea and faba bean genotypes that perform well as grain and cover crops throughout the Southeast. Release of these cultivars will provide the foundation for expansion of winter legume cropping in the region, allowing for diversified rotations, increased legume cover crop adoption, and production of alternative high protein feed sources for livestock farmers in the region. 

1. 1. Conduct field screening trials to assess available winter pea and faba bean germplasm for genotypes that exhibit desirable attributes for use as grain and cover crops in the Southeast.

1. 1. Evaluate nutritive value and protein content for all genotypes to determine value as soybean replacers in livestock feed rations.

1. 1. Catalyze the development and release of regionally adapted cultivars through the provision of recommendations on successful winter pea and faba bean genotypes.