Pea (Pisum sativum L.) belongs to the Family Fabaceae, subfamily Faboideae , genus Pisum and species Pisum sativum L. Several varieties of P. sativum have been bred. Widely cultivated examples include: 1) Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon is commonly known as the Snow pea and 2) Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon ser. cv. is known as the sugar snap pea. There are three different types of peas, each suited to different ways of eating them - snap peas, snow peas, and shelling peas. Pisum is an ancient Latin name for the well-known pea. Sativum means “planted,” or, more literally, “that which is sown”. Common Names of pea are dry pea, Chinese pea, Chinese pea pod, Chinese snow pea, edible pod pea, podded pea, snow pea, sugar snap pea. As one of the most ancient crops in the world, pea played an important role in the introduction of agriculture in post-glacial Europe, often representing the main pulse in the diets of local communities across the continent. It is consumed as fresh vegetable or dry seed throughout the world. It is also one of the most popular vegetables grown for home use by home gardeners. Peas are cultivated both in agriculture (field peas) and horticulture (garden peas) and are used for both for fodder and food, either grown to full maturity or eaten as a fresh vegetable. Peas can be bought fresh, canned, or frozen, and dried peas are commonly used in soups. Some varieties, including sugar peas and snow peas, produce pods that are edible and are eaten raw or cooked like green beans; they are popular in East Asian cuisines. Domesticated about 11,000 years ago or so, peas are an important human and animal food crop cultivated throughout the world. Pisum sativum L; 2n=2x=14) also commonly known as English pea or green pea and is a commonly grown leguminous vegetable in the world. Pea is pollinated due to cleistogamous flower structure and has less than percent out crossing. The seeds are dispersed when the pod reaches maturity and bursts open. It scatters the peas over as wide a distance as it is possible for the plant. Field peas or "dry peas" are marketed as a dry, shelled product for either human or livestock food, unlike the garden pea, which is marketed as a fresh or canned vegetable. The major producing countries of field peas are Russia and China, followed by Canada, Europe, Australia and the United States. Major production states are UP, Bihar Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Orissa and Karnataka. It is worthwhile to mention that large scale production of vegetable peas for international market is still based largely on old varieties. Arkel introduced in India in 1970s still holds ground and is a household name in vegetable pea growers and consumers. In this review article on Origin, Domestication, Taxonomy, Botanical Description, Genetics and Cytogenetics, Genetic Diversity, Breeding, Uses, Nutritional Value and Health Benefits of pea are discussed.
