The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture has released two southern pea varieties and two spinach varieties for home garden and commercial use.

The new southern pea varieties, known as "Elegance" and "Ark 95-348," are well suited for the canning industry, as well as home gardens and fresh markets, said Teddy Morelock, a UA vegetable breeder and professor of horticulture in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

“Southern peas are a popular vegetable in the southeastern United States and are widely grown for home gardens, fresh market and processing,” Morelock said. “The University of Arkansas has been involved in varietal development with this crop for more than 50 years.”

Morelock said southern peas are widely known by the many different horticultural types, including blackeye, pinkeye, purple hull, cream and crowder.

To read the entire release, please go to http://www.uark.edu/depts/agripub/Publications/Agnews/agnews05-68.html