1. Chickpea
2. Common pea
3. Sugar pea (snow pea and snap pea)
Here in Tanzania, chickpeas are cultivated in the highlands in the south, highlands in the north and in the Usambara and Uluguru highlands. In the world, chickpeas are widely cultivated in central Asia, the Mediterranean and northern Africa.
There are different types of peas found in Tanzania such as Tanganyika yellow, Idaho white, Rondo and local seeds.
Research shows that the chickpea crop thrives well in areas with cold conditions of 17-21 C, and an altitude of more than 1200 meters above sea level with rain, sufficient humidity and stagnant water. Fertilized soil, deeply cultivated and acidic PH 5.5 – 6.5.
Preparations should begin before the rainy season begins, the field / garden should be prepared with a tractor or tiller or hand plow or cow plow in accordance with soil requirements such as not soaking water, plowing deeply. Mix natural fertilizers (manure or compost) with the soil to fertilize the soil.
Pick good seeds that are well matured and look problem free, healthy to get a good yield. You are advised to prepare the seeds in advance to keep a good preparation.
PLANTING.
Peas are planted during the rainy season or with irrigation, because the soil needs to be moist in order for the plant to grow well, planting opportunities:-
i) 60 cm – 90 cm x 5.7 cm for short seeds.
ii) 12 cm – 15 cm x 5 – 7.5 cm in two rows of 90 cm for creeping seed.
iii) Peas grow well if they have places to crawl.
iv) Pea seeds germinate after 7-10 days.
FERTILIZER.
If you use natural fertilizers (manure or compost), peas grow well. During the growth period, it is important to fertilize with nitrogen salts at a rate of 40 kg per hectare.
Peas should be weeded when they are young. A field that is well prepared and cleared of perennial weeds can be weeded immediately, because peas grow quickly, and can compete with weeds. After flowering, peas should not be weeded to increase yield.
Weeds compete with plants for nutrients. It also increases the shade during flowering and causes a significant reduction in yields. Weeding is done by hand or using herbicides.
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