Pea ORLUS

Technical profile of "Orlus": peas for high-tech production

"Orlus" is the result of breeding work by the Federal Research Center for Legumes and Groat Crops. It is based on a leafless (tendrilled) morphotype, which fundamentally changes the harvesting logic. The absence of leaf blades combined with a dense network of tendrils ensures high lodging resistance — interconnected stems form a rigid frame that holds the crop mass upright even during heavy rainfall.

Agronomic solutions for crop protection

The biological model of "Orlus" is engineered with a focus on phytosanitary resistance. The breeders' technical solution lies in the genetic consolidation of immunity against a complex of diseases most dangerous for legumes:

• Comprehensive barrier: The variety demonstrates field resistance to anthracnose, leaf spot (ascochytosis), and rust.
• Pathogen suppression: Resistance to fusarium and root rot allows the crop to develop stably even in constrained crop rotation patterns.
• Foliar resistance: Low susceptibility to powdery mildew reduces the need for frequent fungicide applications, optimizing production costs.

Production parameters and harvesting efficiency

A vegetation period of 90–100 days classifies "Orlus" as a mid-early variety, which is critical for regions with a high risk of late-summer drought. A thousand-kernel weight (TKW) of 220–240 grams is the optimal metric for commercial grain. A protein content of 24–26% makes the harvest suitable for both feed purposes and the food processing industry.

A key advantage in industrial cultivation is its excellent suitability for direct harvesting. The tendrilled plant architecture and medium stem height allow harvesters to operate at higher speeds without significant losses, as the grain does not contact the soil and the pods mature uniformly. This eliminates the swathing stage, reducing yield losses from shattering and minimizing mechanical damage to the seeds.