Proteins, vitamins, mineral salts ... This is not a complete list of useful substances that contain pea seeds. And hay, silage and green mass of this plant have valuable feed properties. The high yield of this crop is largely due to the characteristics of the pea root system.
Characteristic of the Legume family
Representatives of this systematic unit have a number of similarities. First of all, it is a fruit called a bean. It is dry and multi-seeded. The bean is opened at the seams from the top to the base, and the seeds are attached to both wings.
The second name of this family - Moths - determines the structure of the flower. The fact is that all the petals have a different shape. The upper is the largest, two lateral smaller, and the lower fused. Visually, this structure resembles a moth. The only pistil is surrounded by ten stamens. Nine of them are fused, and one is free.
The leaves of most legumes have a mesh venation. On the shoot, they end with antennae, with which they can be attached to the support.
What is the root system of peas
Plants have three types of roots: main, lateral and additional. Their combination forms the root system. In some species, the main root is absent or poorly developed. It is practically invisible among numerous additional roots. In this case, a fibrous root system is formed.
In peas, the underground part has a different structure. The main root is well developed, numerous lateral ones depart from it. Thus, the type of pea root system is pivotal. In legumes, it is well branched. The main root can penetrate to a depth of 1.5 meters, and the lateral ones develop in the arable layer.
The root system of peas reaches a maximum of development during the flowering period. It is very susceptible to soil moisture. The optimal indicator is 60-80%. With high standing groundwater, the root dies, and the shoot turns yellow. But peas are quite resistant to short-term droughts. This is due to the ability of the root system to absorb moisture from deep horizons.
Peas like green manure
This term is called natural green fertilizer. Along with the growth of pea roots, soil loosening and the formation of numerous air passages, preventing weed growth and cracking, occur. In addition to the mechanical effect on the soil, peas also have a chemical effect - it restores its composition, enriches it with organic matter and minerals - potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus. It is possible to sow peas as green manure both before planting the cultivated crop and after harvesting it.
Soil selection
To get a good crop of peas, you need to "prepare a sled in the summer." This means that the seeds of this culture are sown in the spring, and the soil is pre-treated in the fall. It is better to choose the site on which nightshade or cruciferous plants grew. For example, tomatoes, potatoes or cabbage. Peas are recommended to be planted only four years later.
Next, the soil must be dug to a depth of 30 cm and fertilizer. From organic compounds, rotted manure is suitable, from mineral compounds - superphosphate and potassium salt.
If the soil is too acidic, prior liming is recommended. Since the pea root system penetrates deep enough, close bedding of groundwater should be avoided.
Before sowing, the seeds are soaked for up to 18 hours, changing the water every three hours. The optimal planting depth is 3 cm. The first seedlings will appear in a week and a half.
Useful neighbors
Features of the pea root system also lie in the fact that it forms a symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Such mutual co-existence benefits both organisms. Nitrogen is necessary for plants to develop the root system. But they are not able to absorb this substance from the air. Bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can absorb from the soil.
During photosynthesis, autotrophic organisms form organic substances. Therefore, plants provide bacteria with carbon-containing compounds necessary for their vital functions.
Scientists have proven that bacteria can exist without legumes. But in this case, they lose the ability to fix the nitrogen of their atmosphere. As soon as a plant from the legume family appears in the soil, bacteria penetrate its roots, forming thickenings - nodules.
Value in nature
In terms of gross grain harvest, peas occupy the first place among legumes. This is due to good yield and high nutrient content. First of all, these are irreplaceable amino acids, which in chemical composition and calories are close to proteins of animal origin. Among vitamins C, B and PP prevail, minerals - salts of phosphorus and potassium, organic - fiber and starch.
An important place is occupied by peas in a crop rotation. The essence of this process is the annual alternation of different types of cultivated plants that are grown on the same site. Peas are used as a precursor to cereals and vegetables. Its powerful root system loosens the soil well, and the green mass fertilizes with organic matter. The result is a fertile and porous foundation for future crops. In addition, such soil is well protected from water and wind erosion.
So, peas are a representative of the Legume family, the distinguishing features of which are:
- bean fruit;
- "moth flower";
- lodging escape;
- simple leaves with opposite leaves;
- well developed core system;
- development of symbiotic nodule bacteria on the roots.