A good start
Plant at the correct time
Don't sow too early; this will increase the risk of severe blackspot disease. Kaspa is more sensitive to delayed sowing in low rainfall regions than other field pea varieties. See sowing times below.
| Region | Rainfall | Sowing period | Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| North (north of a line extending between Moora and Beacon) | Low | Early May to late May | 25 May |
| Low (>100mm stored moisture) | Early May to mid June | 25 May | |
| Medium | Mid May to late June | 25 May | |
| South (south of a line extending between Moora and Beacon) | Low | Early May to mid June | 20 May |
| Medium | Mid May to late June | 4 June | |
| High | Late May to late June | 10 June |
Sowing rate and row spacing
Semi-leafless field peas like Kaspa require higher sowing rates than trailing-type field peas. Aim to establish 55 plants/m2 (compared to 45 plants/m2 for trailing-type varieties). Assuming a seed size of 190mg, germination rate of 95% and a field establishment of 90%, 55 plants/m2 equates to a seeding rate of 120kg/ha. During the bulk-up stage, aim to establish 30 plants/m2. This equates to a sowing rate of about 70kg/ha. This will provide a greater multiplication rate (that is, more seed returned for each seed sown) but the yield per hectare will be about 25-50% lower than a crop sown at the higher rate. Crops sown at low rates for seed multiplication compromise weed control and ease of harvest, so ensure the paddock selected has a low weed burden and has no obstacles for harvest.
Field peas grow well in conventionally spaced rows up to 30cm. The standing ability of Kaspa for harvest is likely to be impaired by rows wider than 30cm because the tendrils will be less able to latch onto wider-row neighbours for support.
Sowing depth
Sow seeds 5-8cm deep. This improves plant establishment and minimises the risk of herbicide damage from soil-applied herbicides.
Inoculum
Always inoculate with group E inoculum prior to sowing. No fungicide seed dressings or in-furrow fungicides are recommended for field peas.
Fertiliser
Phosphorus is the main fertiliser required by field pea in WA. It is recommended to apply as much superphosphate as for wheat grown on the same paddock. In mallee soils, a foliar spray equivalent to 1kg/ha manganese applied 6-8 weeks after sowing may increase yield.
Rolling
Pods will be held above ground level in most Kaspa crops, nevertheless rolling is still recommended to guard against harvest problems. Roll after sowing with rubber tyre or steel rollers to level the paddock surface and push rocks or sticks into the soil.
Roll immediately after sowing or after plants have emerged and past the three-node stage. Don't roll two weeks before or after the application of post-emergent herbicides.