How to Grow Field Pea CDC Striker

Field Pea CDC Striker

Pisum sativum subsp. arvense

vegetable

CDC Striker is a high-yielding field pea variety developed by the Crop Development Centre at the University of Saskatchewan. It's a semi-leafless type pea bred for excellent agronomic performance, disease resistance, and consistent yields in cool-season growing regions. This variety is primarily grown as a cash crop for animal feed, processed food ingredients, and export markets.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum

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Water: Moderate; requires consistent moisture during growth and pod development. Approximately 1-1.5 inches per week (including rainfall). Reduce watering after flowering to avoid excessive vegetative growth. Avoid waterlogging.

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Spacing: 4-6 inches between plants in rows; rows 18-24 inches apart inches

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Days to maturity: 85-110 days from planting to harvest maturity

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Planting depth: 1-1.5 inches deep

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with moderate organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Compost or well-rotted manure for soil structure Phosphorus and potassium if soil tests low Rhizobium inoculant (pea-specific) for nitrogen fixation if peas haven't been grown recently

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 2-7, with optimal performance in cooler regions (zones 3-6)

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a

Growth Stages

Seedling

1-2 weeks

Emergent shoots with cotyledons and first true leaves visible within 7-10 days. Plants are small and tender with thin stems.

Ensure consistent soil moisture without waterlogging. Thin seedlings if overcrowded. Monitor for damping-off disease. Protect from birds and slugs.

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Semi-leafless stems elongate with stipules and tendrils developing. Plants establish root systems and build biomass. Stems become more robust and may require staking if grown tall.

Maintain consistent watering. Install support structures (stakes, trellises, or netting) early. Apply mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Monitor for early season pests.

Flowering

2-3 weeks

White or pale pink flowers appear at leaf axils. Flowering progresses up the stem over several weeks. Tendrils help plants cling to supports.

Ensure adequate phosphorus and potassium for flower development. Avoid excessive nitrogen. Maintain consistent moisture—drought stress reduces pod set. Monitor for pollinating insects. Watch for powdery mildew in humid conditions.

Pod Development & Filling

3-4 weeks

Pods form and enlarge, containing developing pea seeds. Pods transition from green to yellowish-tan as maturity approaches. Plant foliage gradually yellows.

Continue consistent watering through early pod fill, then reduce frequency. Monitor for common pea diseases (root rot, ascochyta blight). Scout for late-season pests like pea weevils.

Harvest/Maturity

1-2 weeks

Pods dry down, becoming tan to brown and brittle. Seeds harden and rattle inside pods. Plant senescence is complete; stems and leaves are dried.

Allow pods to fully mature and dry in the field if weather permits (reduces drying costs). Harvest when moisture content is 14-16% or lower. Use combine harvester for field peas or direct cut if equipment available.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Oat Barley Wheat Flax Mustard cover crops Legume-nodulating bacteria

Avoid planting near:

Other peas or chickpeas (disease carryover) Beans (similar pest and disease pressures) Onions and garlic (allelopathic interference) Fennel

Common Pests

Scout for adult beetles at flowering; use insecticidal sprays if thresholds exceeded. Crop rotation (3+ years) is primary control. Store seed at cool temperatures or apply protectant powders.
Monitor populations during vegetative and early flowering stages. Use insecticidal soaps or neem oil for organic control. Encourage natural predators (ladybugs, parasitic wasps).
Use disease-resistant varieties like CDC Striker. Practice crop rotation (2+ years away from peas). Remove infected crop residue. Avoid overhead watering; water at soil level. Apply fungicides if necessary at early pod stage.
Improve soil drainage. Use resistant varieties. Rotate with non-legume crops. Avoid planting in fields with history of disease. Ensure adequate soil aeration.
Provide good air circulation through proper spacing. Reduce excessive nitrogen fertilization. Apply sulfur-based fungicides or neem oil if needed. Plant resistant varieties.
and
Remove plant debris and weeds where they hide. Use copper barriers or slug baits around seedling areas. Manual removal in small gardens.

Uses

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Animal Feed & Livestock Nutrition

Culinary

Field peas are a primary ingredient in livestock feed, providing protein (18-25%) and energy for cattle, swine, and poultry. They're particularly valued in organic and non-GMO feed formulations. [source]

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Human Food & Food Processing

Culinary

CDC Striker peas are processed into pea flour, pea protein isolate, and pea starch for use in baking, pasta, plant-based meat alternatives, and functional foods. They contribute nutritional value and texture to processed foods. [source]

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Crop Rotation & Soil Health

Household

As a legume, field peas fix atmospheric nitrogen through symbiotic bacteria in root nodules, enriching soil and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers in subsequent crops. This improves soil health and agricultural sustainability. [source]

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Nutritional & Functional Benefits

Medicinal

Peas are rich in polyphenols, folate, and plant-based proteins with potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Pea-derived compounds are studied for cardiovascular and metabolic health benefits. [source]

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Habitat & Pollinator Support

Wildlife

Flowering pea crops provide pollen and nectar for bees and other pollinators during mid-season. Pea fields can support beneficial insect populations that aid in integrated pest management. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

CDC Striker is harvested at physiological maturity when pods are dry and brittle, seeds are hard, and moisture content is 14-16%. In wet seasons, allow field drying if weather permits or use artificial drying. Direct-cut using a swather, then combine 3-5 days later, or use a combine harvester directly if fields are dry enough. For small-scale harvest, hand-pull plants and thresh by beating pods over a tarp. Store dried peas in cool, dry conditions (50°F or below, <12% moisture) in breathable containers.

Fun Facts

🌱 CDC Striker was specifically bred at the University of Saskatchewan's Crop Development Centre for the Canadian prairies, making it highly adapted to short growing seasons and cool climates.
🌱 Field peas can fix 100-200 pounds of nitrogen per acre from the atmosphere through symbiotic relationships with Rhizobium bacteria, making them a natural fertilizer factory and reducing the need for synthetic nitrogen inputs.
🌱 The 'semi-leafless' trait of CDC Striker means the terminal leaflets are modified into tendrils, reducing disease pressure by improving air circulation within the canopy while still providing photosynthetic capacity through stipules.

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