VREP-933 (Pea variety)

Technology Background:  

afila (tendrilled) leaf type in peas, distinguished by its semi-leafless foliage, offers significant agronomic advantages enhanced light penetration, reduced lodging, and improved foliar disease management. Its upright growth habit not only supports dense planting but also facilitates mechanized and manual harvesting, collectively contributing to higher productivity. Although afila types are well established in mid- to late-maturing peas, their incorporation into early maturing vegetable peas (65-75 days) remains limited, despite the urgent need driven by off-season demand and cropping system intensification. The challenge lies in integrating afila traits with early flowering, desirable pod characteristics, and high yield potential. Current breeding initiatives are actively addressing this gap, targeting the development of early maturing afila genotypes that combine agronomic resilience with market-preferred pod quality. 

Technology Details:  

The development of VRPE-933, an early maturing genotype carrying the afila gene (tendrilled), addresses the long-standing need for early duration vegetable peas with semi-leafless foliage. This genotype combines the advantages of early maturity (ready in 60-65 days) with the agronomic benefits of the afila trait, including improved light interception, reduced lodging, less bird menace and ease of harvesting. VRPE-933 offers desirable pod traits such as bold, green pods with good seed fill and sweetness, suitable for fresh market (100-110 q/ha) as well dry seed consumption (10q/ha). It also enables dense planting and fits well into multiple cropping systems. Thus, VRPE-933 represents a significant advancement in early afila pea breeding.