The Nickerson Advanta breeding programme for vining peas, which are peas produced for freezing, is based at Docking, Norfolk, and is led by Milika Buurman. The programme is very successful in producing varieties equally suited to growers, processors and consumers alike. It does this by targeting yield and disease characteristics and most importantly combining these agronomic characters with excellent product quality in terms of taste, texture and colour.

Each year the Sharpes vining pea trials are harvested by a static viner which is based at the Docking plant breeding centre. The material is subjected to a tendrometer test, analysed for sieve size and then the samples are frozen. Subsequently the frozen samples are defrosted and scored for those factors that both the supermarket and the end consumer consider important. Finally the new varieties are subjected to critical scrutiny by a tasting panel.

The variety portfolio, which is sold under the Sharpes brand name, consists mainly of standard sized peas and spans all maturity groups with both normal leaf and semi-leafless types. The varieties are widely grown throughout the UK and have also proved successful in continental Europe, North America and New Zealand. The Sharpes vining pea sales team also markets in the UK the petit pois varieties bred by our French sister company, Vilmorin.

 

The new Sharpes Vining Pea Variety Portfolio Brochure 2009 is now available. You can view this by clicking on the link at the top of this page or you can request a copy (free of charge) by emailing enquiries@nickerson.co.uk or by phoning 01472 371471.