There are field pea varieties available and recommended for each of Western Australia’s Agzones. Here is a summary of each variety’s characteristics.
Choosing field pea varieties in WA
Field pea variety adaptation and description
PBA Wharton (released 2013)
Recommended for districts, particularly Agzone 5, where Pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) is a yield and grain quality threat in Western Australia. Can be co-mingled for delivery with all kaspa type varieties.
- Similar seed and plant features to Kaspa
- Broader disease resistance;
- Pea seed borne mosaic virus
- Bean leaf roll virus
- Powdery mildew
- High yield and broad adaptation
- Semi-leafless, semi-dwarf plant type
- Improved tolerance to soil boron toxicity
- Early flowering and maturing
- Pod shatter resistant at maturity (Sugar-pod trait).
- Superior grain quality marketable as ‘Kaspa type’
PBA Gunyah (released 2011)
Recommended for all Agzones in Western Australia. Highest yielding across most Agzones of WA in most seasons. Can be co-mingled for delivery with all kaspa type varieties.
- Higher yielding in low to medium rainfall zones
- Early to mid-flowering and early maturing
- Semi-leafless, semi-dwarf plant type, similar to Kaspa
- Pod shatter resistant at maturity (Sugar-pod trait).
- Disease resistance is similar to Kaspa
- Suitable for crop topping
- Grain marketable as ‘Kaspa type’
PBA Twilight (released 2011)
Suited to low rainfall districts and dry spring conditions. Can be co-mingled for delivery with all kaspa type varieties.
- Higher yielding in short season, low rainfall zone
- Early flowering and early maturing
- Semi-leafless, semi-dwarf plant type, similar to Kaspa
- Pod shatter resistant at maturity (Sugar-pod trait).
- Disease resistance is similar to Kaspa
- Suitable for crop topping
- Grain marketable as ‘Kaspa type’
Kaspa (released 2004)
Kaspa is suited to medium and high rainfall districts. Its late flowering habit makes it prone to spring drought. Highest yielding variety in long springs, eg 2011 and 2013. Can be co-mingled for delivery with all kaspa type varieties.
- Kaspa has shown wide adaption and high yield potential, but is best suited to longer growing season environments.
- Pod shatter resistant at maturity (Sugar-pod trait).
- Crop topping and desiccation is possible with Kaspa
PBA Oura (released 2011)
PBA Oura is outclassed for yield in WA by the Kaspa type varieties. Bacterial blight is unlikely to be a yield threat in Western Australia.
- Low risk option for bacterial blight
- High yield potential and broad adaptation
- Early to mid-flowering and maturing
- Erect growing semi-leafless plant type
- Early maturity allows croptopping
- Grain marketable as ‘Australian dun type’
PBA Percy (released 2011)
PBA Percy is a conventional ‘trailing type’ field pea. It is outclassed for yield in WA by the Kaspa type varieties. Bacterial blight is unlikely to be a yield threat in Western Australia.
- Highest resistance rating for bacterial blight
- High yield potential and broad adaptation
- Early to mid-flowering and maturing
- Conventional plant type
- Early maturity allows croptopping
- Grain marketable as ‘Australian dun type’
Parafield (released 1997)
Parafield is an old conventional ‘Dun type’ field pea. It totally outclassed for yield in all districts of WA.
- Conventional ‘trailing type’ field pea.
- Lower yield potential in all agzones
- Mid-season flowering
- Mid-season maturing:
- Grain marketable as ‘Australian dun type’
PBA Pearl (released 2012)
PBA Pearl is high yielding in most agzones, particularly Agzone 5. It is a white pea with niche market potential only. It will not be received into bulk handling systems in WA.
- Semi-leafless, semi-dwarf plant type
- High yield potential and broad adaptation
- Early to mid-season flowering
- Early maturing: suitable for crop topping
- Good lodging resistance at maturity
- White seed marketable for human consumption
Production recommendations
Variety management packages and agronomic recommendations are available on the Pulse Australia website.
Supply enquiries AUSTRALIAN SEED & GRAIN P/L Berkshire Valley Rd PO Box 183, Moora, WA 6510 Chris Martin Tel: 08 9651 1069 Fax: 08 9651 1542 Email: info@austseedgrain.com.au
EDSCO Eastern Districts Seed Cleaning Co Cnr Mill St & Mather Road PO Box 21, Kellerberrin WA 6410 Ian Doncan Tel: 08 9045 4036 Fax: 08 9045 4539
MultiSEED Productions 4 Brockman St, Esperance WA 6450 William Sharp Tel: 08 9071 1053 Fax: 08 9071 5007
For more information please contact Alan Meldrum, Pulse Australia (Industry Development Manager – Western) P: 0427 384 760
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