THE MAIN PEST OF PEAS – THE PEAS GRAIN EEDER (BRUCHUS PISORUM L.)

I.V. Trandafir; A.I. Kryvenko; G.О. Bаlаn; V.I. Zorunko; M.A. Dzham

doi:10.32848/agrar.innov.2026.37.32

I.V. Trandafir Odessa State Agrarian University https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9457-3527
A.I. Kryvenko Odessa State Agrarian University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2133-3010
G.О. Bаlаn Odessa State Agrarian University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0485-843X
V.I. Zorunko Odessa State Agrarian University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9512-0985
M.A. Dzham Odessa State Agrarian University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8183-5488

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32848/agrar.innov.2026.37.32

Keywords: pea (Pisum sativum L.), productivity, pea weevil (Bruchus pisorum L.), 1000-seed weight, seed germination, plant protection, yield, grain

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to study the biological features of the development of the pea weevil (Bruchus pisorum L.) in pea crops under the conditions of the Steppe of Ukraine, to establish the dynamics of the number of the pest during the growing season, as well as to assess its effect on the weight and sowing quality of seeds of various crop varieties. Methodology. The research was conducted in 2023–2025 in the pea crops of the LLC "VIP-AGRO" farm of Odesa region, which is located in the Southern Steppe zone of Ukraine. Results. The obtained results indicate a significant negative impact of grain damage by pea grain on its sowing quality. Germination of affected seeds was significantly lower in all investigated varieties compared to unaffected ones. The highest germination among damaged seeds was found in the Svit variety – 57.7%, while the lowest indicator was observed in the Cruise variety – only 43.8%. After decontamination and selection of unaffected seeds that were fumigated during storage, germination rates increased significantly. Thus, the similarity reached 96.8% in the Darunok Stepa variety, 95.3% in the World variety, and 94.3% in the Cruise variety. The difference between affected and unaffected seeds was from 37.6% to 50.5%, which indicates the significant harmfulness of the pea weevil. The greatest decrease in germination was noted in the Cruise variety, where the difference between affected and healthy seeds was 50.5%. As a result of the conducted research, it was established that the pea weevil (Bruchus pisorum L.) is one of the most dangerous specialized pests of peas in the conditions of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine. A clear seasonal dynamics of the number of pests in crops was revealed. The largest number of beetles was observed in the phase of mass flowering of peas, when the number reached 48.2 specimens/100 sweeps of the net. Damage to pea seeds by a granuloid leads to a significant decrease in grain weight. Weight loss of 1000 grains, depending on the variety, was 3.7–11.5%. Infestation of the seed by a granuloid significantly worsens its sowing quality. The similarity of damaged seeds was lower by 37.6–50.5% compared to undamaged ones. It has been established that fumigation of grain during storage with the drug Fumifos is an effective measure to combat pests of stocks and allows maintaining high sowing qualities of seeds.

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