Project pea exchange

[lucianosui]

Hi, I am interested in exchanging seeds of peas with the greatest biological diversity that each of us can contribute. I invite you to start this project among all stakeholders in the breeding of peas and together find new and interesting combinations of genes. What think?.

[Rebsie]

There's certainly an imperative to do this kind of work. Modern commercial peas have focused around such a narrow genepool there is hardly any difference between varieties any more. But there is a lot of diversity to be found if you look for it, particularly in older varieties which have not been utilised in breeding work for many years.

The commercial breeders are never going to do it, so the task is given to amateurs and enthusiasts. Let's do it!

[mjc]

Well, considering that one of the main focus areas for commercially bred peas has been mechanical harvesting, it's easy to understand why everything is sort of running into 'the same old thing'.

[raymondo]

I think it's a worthwhile thing to do, and not just for peas of course. Exchanges happen here and on other forums anyway, but it would be useful to have a focused exchange.

[robertb]

Sounds good. I've been collecting all the interesting peas I could, but I'm sure there are more out there!

[ottawagardener]

I'm in though I can't really participate until next year.

[lucianosui]

I think that we should organize a project of permanent duration.
Firstly we should appoint a "curator". Each of those interested in participating should send a description of each of their peas to the curator and this may periodically publish an updated list of materials offered.
From this list, we will ask the owner seed samples according to our interests.

[robertb]

I've started a list, but I'll need to keep adding information through the season.