In 1999-2001 the occurrence of thrips was analysed on seven cultivars of pea. The samples of leaves, then leaves and flower buds and the flowers were collected from plots. The analyses were initiated when the earliest cultivar (Sześciotygodniowy) began flowering and were repeated every 4-7 days, until the end of flowering. The following species of th rips were found: Franklinie/la intonsa Trybom, Thrips major Uzel, Thrips fuscipennis Hal., Thrips tabaci Lind. and Kakothrips robustus Uzel. The clear differences between the number of thrips on the particular cul tivars of pea were noticed. The most attractive were late cultivars Nike and Telefon as well as middle late Delisa II. It seems that the most important factor effecting on the number of thrips on particular cultivars was rather the start and the end of flowering than the length of the flowering period. The greatest number of thrips was noticed on flowers, from 50% to 77%. The thrips initially were found on leaves and then, as the pea was growing, on the flower buds and flowers. After the emergence of thrips, the analyses should be first initiated on leaves.

Pea is one of the most important legumes grown in the world. The seeds are used for food production and animal feed. The problem with its cultivation is the low yield and sensitivity to the course of the weather. The important factor is to determine the optimal sowing rate and row spacing, especially for new cultivars of pea. Therefore, research was undertaken to assess the effect of row spacing and sowing density on selected physiological parameters, yielding, and structural elements of peas cv. ‘Batuta’ in Poland. The results of the research showed that the row spacing and sowing density determine the values of plant physiological parameters, yield of pea seeds and protein content. The increase in plant density in the canopy caused a decrease in the measured parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence, such as maximum quantum yield of photosystem II ( F_v/F_m) and maximum quantum yield of primary photochemistry ( F_v/F₀) and performance index ( PI). The leaf area index ( LAI) was lower with a wider row spacing. Row spacing and plant density determined yield of pea seeds, number of pods and seeds per plant and weight of seeds per plant. Wider row spacing resulted in a decrease in the protein content in seeds, while an increase in sowing density from 70 to 110 m ² caused its increase. The course of the weather during the vegetation period of plants significantly influenced the obtained results.