Mike Stubbs’ Trials
When planting trials at ProGene, we frequently visit trial sites to keep tabs on, compare, or collect data from certain varieties.
The following are notes and observations conducted by our Dry Pea Introduction Specialist & Crop Systems Advisor, Jackson, on the pea trial in Lacrosse, WA. It was planted on September 8th, 2025. The pictures below were taken on October 17th, 2025. The trial consists of four winter grain pea varieties: GoldenWood, Payback, KurtWood, and Keystone. (Keystone was planted 3-4 days later than the other varieties, as the growth in the pictures is a bit further behind.)
When visiting each trial site, there are a few key factors we look for in terms of growth and appearance of the plants. We look for features such as root and node growth, above-ground growth, as well as any signs of diseases, pests, or damage to the plant; and lastly, the level of weed pressure on the field as a whole.
Jackson wrote that the peas are exhibiting great root growth with nodules starting to form on the roots, as seen in a few of the images for each variety. (The main reddish sphere is the treated pea, while the other lighter tannish bumps attached further down the roots are the plant’s Nitrogen nodules.)
Also noted is that the nodes are not yet pink, indicating maturity based on their leghemoglobin levels. (If you would like to read more on this topic, please click here.)
Each variety’s above-ground heights look to be healthy and strong at the time of visiting the site, with none of them appearing to have any sign of weather damage, pest damage, or disease.
The field appears very clean with little to no weed pressure. When looking at the photos of the rows of peas, you can see there is no visible growth of weeds in between them.
GoldenWood:
Payback:
KurtWood:
Keystone:
