Pea is an important grain legume mainly grown as spring crop in temperate regions. However, in areas with mild winters and dry springs, like Mediterranean type environments, spring pea types are autumn sown. Unfortunately, little efforts have been made so far in pea breeding for constraints typical of these environments, such as crenate broomrape (Orobanche crenata), rust (Uromyces pisi), powdery mildew (Erysiphe pisi) and ascochyta blight (Mycosphaerella pinodes). In this paper we revise the present state of the art in pea breeding against these diseases and we will critically discuss present progress and future perspectives. Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is a cool season legume grown worldwide as a source of protein both for human food and animal feed. Pea is the most widely grown grain legume in Europe and the second-most in the world (FAOSTAT 2008) and represents a versatile and inexpensive protein source for ani-mal feeding. Significant efforts have been made in pea breeding for disease resistance in continental and oceanic conditions where it is mainly spring sown (Cousin 1997). However, relative preva-lence and importance of the various diseases var-ies with agroecological conditions. In areas with mild winters and dry springs, like Mediterranean type environments, spring pea types are autumn sown. Unfortunately, little efforts have been made so far in pea breeding for constraints typical of these environments, such as crenate broomrape (Orobanche crenata Forsk.), rust (Uromyces pisi (Pers.) Wint.), powdery mildew (Erysiphe pisi DC) and ascochyta blight (Mycosphaerella pinodes (Berk & Blox) Vesterg). In this paper we will revise the present state of the art in pea breeding against these diseases and we will critically discuss present progress and future perspectives.