Responses of non-irrigated and irrigated garden peas to phosphorus and potassium on Lismore stony silt loam

Abstract

Abstract In six experiments conducted over the six seasons from 1976/77 to 1981/82, the response of non-irrigated and irrigated ‘Greenfeast’ garden peas to phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilisers was examined. All experiments were carried out on Lismore stony silt loam on sites with different histories. P fertiliser was applied as superphosphate (300 kg/ha) and K as potassium chloride (100 kg/ha). Both fertilisers were applied at drilling. Yield responses to K, P, and P + K fertiliser occurred. However, these responses were small, inconsistent, and generally uneconomic. This work shows garden peas can be grown satisfactorily and most economically without P and K fertilisers when they are part of a cropping rotation on Lismore soils that have medium to high P and K soil test values. Low soil test values are unlikely to occur on these soils with normal fertiliser applications in crop/pasture rotations.