The effects of temperature change on the growth and development of pea plants (Pisum sativum)

In recent years, West Virginia has experienced measurable changes in annual temperature variation. This gives rise to the question: How will crops species tolerate these varying temperatures? This research project focuses on the effects of temperature on pea plants (Pisum sativum) growth and productivity. The pea plant is an annual legume that fulfills dietary requirements for a large number of people. Pea plants are an ideal test subject for many agricultural experiments due to their easily distinguishable traits, simple growth cycle, and their ability to self-pollinate. In this preliminary experiment, pea seeds were grown in separate incubators at 20 °C and 25 °C. The following data was collected: days to germination, stem length, largest leaf size, flowering date, and number of pods and seeds grown. Notes were also taken regarding signs of heat stress and plant health. After calculating the data, the most noticeable result was a nearly two-week difference in days to germination. The peas with a faster germination rate, grown in the 25 °C incubator, also showed signs of heat stress by leaf discoloration with a low production rate. This research was made possible by NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium, Training Grant #80NSSC20M0055.