Pea is an important rabi season crop grown by many farmers in India for vegetables as well as pulses. Proper irrigation at the right time is very important for good plant growth, flowering, and pod formation in pea crop. Even though pea does not require very heavy irrigation like some other crops, timely watering at critical stages greatly improves yield and quality. Wrong irrigation timing often leads to poor pod setting, small peas, or disease problems.
Pea crop generally requires light but regular irrigation because it has a shallow root system. The first irrigation is very important and should be given soon after sowing if there is not enough moisture in the soil. Adequate moisture at this stage helps in proper seed germination and uniform plant establishment. If the soil is dry during germination, seeds may not sprout properly, resulting in poor plant population.
The next important irrigation stage is during early vegetative growth, around 15 to 20 days after sowing. At this stage, plants start developing branches and leaves. Proper moisture helps the plant grow healthy and strong. If moisture stress occurs at this stage, plant growth slows down and later yield potential reduces.
The most critical irrigation stage in pea crop is flowering. Flowering usually occurs around 35 to 45 days after sowing, depending on variety and climate. Lack of water during flowering causes flower drop and poor pollination. This directly affects pod formation and reduces yield. Farmers should make sure that the soil has enough moisture during this stage. Irrigation should be light and uniform, avoiding waterlogging.
Another very important stage is pod formation and grain filling. This stage usually comes 10 to 15 days after flowering. Proper irrigation at this stage helps pods develop fully and peas fill properly inside the pods. Water stress during pod filling results in small pods and shriveled peas, which reduces both yield and market quality.
In total, pea crop usually needs about 3 to 4 irrigations under normal conditions. However, the exact number of irrigations depends on soil type, weather, and rainfall. Sandy soils need more frequent irrigation because water drains quickly, while clay or loamy soils retain moisture for a longer time and need fewer irrigations.
Over-irrigation should be strictly avoided in pea crop. Excess water causes waterlogging, root rot, and fungal diseases like wilt and damping-off. It also reduces oxygen supply to roots, weakening the plants. Irrigation should always be done based on soil moisture, not on a fixed schedule.
The method of irrigation also matters. Furrow irrigation is commonly used and works well for pea. It allows water to reach the root zone without wetting the entire field. Sprinkler irrigation can also be used, especially in light soils, but watering during late evening should be avoided to reduce disease risk.
Irrigation should preferably be done in the morning hours. This helps reduce evaporation loss and allows plants to dry during the day, lowering disease chances. Farmers should also stop irrigation 10 to 15 days before harvest to improve crop maturity and ease harvesting.
In conclusion, pea crop should be irrigated at sowing, vegetative growth, flowering, and pod filling stages. Timely and controlled irrigation helps farmers get healthy plants, better pod setting, and higher yield while avoiding disease problems.
