Investigating Sustainable and Cost-Effective Strategies to Expand Production of Food Quality Winter Pea as a Viable Specialty Crop in the Palouse

Winter pea could be a transformative crop in Washington due to high yields, tolerance for a wide range of conditions, and potential to provide income stability for farmers. In contrast to spring peas, winter peas have higher nutrition and can grow in more severe environments. Yet, although acreage of winter peas is growing rapidly, there remains a lack of information about how farmers can promote tolerance to abiotic and biotic stress. Our work shows that application of soil rhizobia may promote tolerance of spring pea to abiotic and biotic stress, but similar work is needed on winter pea. Here we will assess how beneficial soil rhizobia affect responses of winter pea cultivars to biotic (aphids and viruses) and abiotic stressors (water availability). Our project meets the BioAG priority of conducting applied research that promotes more sustainable management of specialty crops and provides growers with cost-effective and eco-friendly management tactics.