Potential Impacts of Organic Treatments on Pea Yield Related Traits at Different Plant Densities

Sustainable crop production requires strategies that reduce chemical fertilizer dependence while maintaining or improving yield. Organic amendments and natural stimulants, when combined with appropriate planting densities, can enhance crop performance. In pea (Pisum sativum L.), the integration of compost and foliar stimulants such as Razormar (Rz) may improve pod quality and yield under varying plant population levels.

Field experiments were conducted during the 2022–23 and 2023–24 winter seasons at the Experimental Farm, Faculty of Environmental Agricultural Sciences, Arish University, Egypt. The study was arranged in a split-plot design with three replications. Main plots were assigned to two intra-row spacings (25 cm and 40 cm), while subplots included ten fertilization treatments combining composted rice straw at 3 t/fed, recommended levels of mineral fertilizers and foliar application of Razormar (1.5 cm/L applied three times after sowing). The pea cultivar “Master-B” was used and standard cultural practices were applied. Pod traits and yield components were measured to assess treatment effects.

Wider spacing (40 cm) promoted longer pods, higher seed number per pod and more pods per plant compared to narrower spacing. Although yield per plant was reduced under 25 cm spacing, the greater plant density compensated, leading to higher total yield per feddan. Across both seasons, treatments that combined compost with Razormar consistently improved yield and pod attributes over mineral fertilization alone. These findings underline the potential of integrating organic fertilizers and natural stimulants with optimized spacing as an effective and sustainable alternative for pea production.