Given the growing demand for plant proteins, Teagasc is re-evaluating the potential roles for peas on Irish tillage farms.

And one way of making this a reality is by inter-cropping the legume with a very close botanical relative: faba beans.

There are myriad reasons why Irish tillage farmers should consider growing peas at the present time.

First of all, the demand for home-produced native protein sources for the animal feed sector continues to grow.

In addition, there is a rising demand for plant-based proteins for the food sector like pea flour and protein isolate.

The environmental benefits of growing peas includes improved soil health, biodiversity, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Meanwhile, support is available from the EU Farm to Fork strategy, which prioritises local protein production to reduce reliance on imports.

The Irish climate is well suited to pea production, with yields here amongst the highest in Europe.

But despite this, only about 650ha of peas are grown here each year - a fraction of what could be grown.

A key advantage of including the crop in an Irish arable rotation is their suitability for lighter soils, whereas faba beans can struggle, particularly in dry years.

Additionally, peas benefit from a later sowing date in the spring and an earlier harvest than faba beans. But for Irish farmers in Ireland to embrace the crop again, the biggest challenge of lodging must be addressed.

Peas are very prone to lodging, where plants fall over before harvest. This leads to significant yield loss and difficulties with combining.

Teagasc researchers at Oak Park have tackled the problem by inter-cropping them with faba beans.

It is a simple idea where the stronger stems of faba beans support the lodging-prone pea plants, with the beans acting as a scaffold.

Commercial field trials looking at the feasibility of intercropping of the two crops have identified a number of clear trends and principles.

Faba beans help support the pea canopy, resulting in taller, more upright pea plants. Intercropping delayed maturity slightly, giving farmers more flexibility at harvest without compromising yield.

Across trials, there was no significant yield loss from intercropping compared to sole pea crops.

Faba beans with strong stems and early maturity (e.g., Louhi) are the most effective partners for peas.

And, finally, results to date suggest that intercropping peas with beans does not eliminate the lodging risk and the crop will eventually lodge.

But it can delay lodging and reduce risk of crop deterioration.