As flowering is approaching, growers should inspect the lower leaves for disease and prepare to take action, said BASF product manager Jonathan Ball.

"This year's recent wet weather could see disease development flare up quickly," said Ball. "Pea growers will need to act fast and apply a fungicide for the preventative control of the three most important diseases, which are leaf and pod spot and grey mould."

All three affect the yield and quality of peas, particularly when it is damp and humid during flowering, he said. This could hit yields by as much as 30 per cent.

He recommended BASF's two fungicides approved for use in peas - Walabi for combining peas and Caramba for combining and vining peas. They can both be tank-mixed with a range of other insecticides.