Winter pea in south-east Europe

Winter pea (Pisum sativum ssp. arvense L.) is widely grown in Bulgaria. Bulgarian scientists and farmers have accumulated cultivars and knowledge for both forms of field peas, winter (Pisum sativum ssp. Arvense) and spring pea (Pisum sativum ssp. sativum). There is renewed interest in pea as farmers and local producers aim to apply circular economy in agriculture. Local production of plant protein has a positive economic effect in animal husbandry. Bulgaria is characterised by favorable climatic conditions and suitable soils for over-wintering field pea. Autumn sown winter pea is particularly flexible in how the canopy and crop structure develops. The high plasticity of winter pea as a crop and its ability to enrich the soil with nitrogen, as well as the available local pool of cultivars, are prerequisites for selecting it as a source of sufficient plant protein in local circular economy.