Farmers, agronomists and industry stakeholders are invited to a series of free summer open days hosted by the PGRO.
Those with an interest in vining peas can attend a session at Nocton in Lincolnshire on 19 June. For those more interested in winter and spring bean research, or combining peas, there’s an open event at the PGRO’s trial site in Stubton, on 27 June.
“The open days are a chance to explore trials work carried out by the PGRO with the goal of providing growers with more information about producing better pulse crops,” says chief executive Roger Vickers.
“We carry out a huge number of trials every year to gain a better understanding of pests and diseases, evaluate varieties, and explore new production techniques. These open days are an excellent opportunity to spend time with our technical team in the field, looking at their work in crops,” he says.
Two sites to visit
The Nocton vining pea open day will showcase variety trials which are being grown for evaluation on the PGRO Descriptive List. There’ll also be an opportunity to examine the effects of downy mildew.
According to Roger, those attending the Stubton trials site a week later will also have plenty to see. As well as the Descriptive List and National List trials, the PGRO will be showcasing work which looks at the challenges around growing, protecting and harvesting intercrops of winter beans and winter wheat, beans and oats, and vining peas and oats.
Lentil trials
Visitors will also be able to learn about the PGRO’s lentil trials. Since 2020, the organisation’s been investigating the viability of UK production, as well as varieties of interest.
Other trials on show include mechanical harrowing in combining peas as a tool to reduce herbicide use, and the use of biostimulants when establishing the crop.
Wider benefits of pulses
“It’s an exciting time for pulse growers across the UK,” says Roger. “There’s greater recognition of the benefits pulses bring to the soil, environment and rotation, but that opportunity should be maximised with applied research helping growers grow better beans and peas.”
Attendance is free and no pre-booking is required. The Nocton site’s What3Words is ///gear.reddish.rejoined and the Stubton site is ///gobbling.orchestra.grudging.
Visitors are welcome from 9am.
