Introduction

Lentil (Lens culinaris) is an important pulse crop grown for its edible seeds, which are rich in protein and essential nutrients. It is widely cultivated in India, Canada, Turkey, and Australia. Lentil is a cool-season legume that plays a vital role in crop rotation due to its nitrogen-fixing ability.

Origin and Distribution

• Origin: Lentil is believed to have originated in the Near East and Mediterranean region.
• Distribution: Major lentil-growing countries include India, Canada, Turkey, Australia, Nepal, Bangladesh, and the USA.
• In India: Predominantly grown in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Rajasthan.

Botanical Classification

• Family: Fabaceae
• Genus: Lens
• Species: Lens culinaris

Climatic Requirements

• Temperature: 18-25°C is ideal for growth.
• Rainfall: Requires 300-400 mm of rainfall.
• Photoperiod: Short-day plant but can tolerate long-day conditions.
• Drought Tolerance: Moderate tolerance; sensitive to waterlogging.

Soil Requirements

• Grows well in well-drained loamy soils rich in organic matter.
• pH range: 6.0-7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral).
• Heavy clay soils and waterlogged conditions are not suitable.

Varieties

Recommended Varieties in India

• Early maturing: IPL-81, IPL-316, IPL-406, K-75
• Medium maturing: L-4147, PL-639, JL-3
• Late maturing: L-9-12, Pusa Vaibhav, DPL-62
• High-yielding: Pusa Ageti Masoor, Pusa Arun, Pant L-406
• Disease-resistant: Pusa Lentil-5, NDL-1 (resistant to rust and wilt)

Land Preparation

• Ploughing: 1 deep ploughing followed by 2-3 harrowings to achieve a fine tilth.
• Levelling: Ensures proper moisture retention and drainage.
• Weed removal: Pre-sowing weed control is essential.

Sowing Time and Method

• Rabi season: October-November (optimum sowing time).
• Kharif season: Sown in rainfed conditions in some regions.
• Sowing method:
  • Broadcasting: Traditional method but results in uneven plant distribution.
  • Line sowing: Recommended for better plant spacing and yield.
  • Seed drill: Ensures uniform depth and spacing.

Seed Rate and Spacing

• Seed Rate: 30-40 kg/ha for normal varieties; 40-50 kg/ha for bold-seeded varieties.
• Spacing:
  • Row-to-row: 25-30 cm
  • Plant-to-plant: 5-7 cm
• Seed Depth: 3-5 cm deep in well-prepared soil.

Seed Treatment

• Treat seeds with Rhizobium culture (5 g/kg of seed) to enhance nitrogen fixation.
• Fungicidal treatment: Use Carbendazim (2 g/kg) or Thiram (2 g/kg) to prevent seed-borne diseases.

Nutrient Management

• Apply full dose of P, K, and S at the time of sowing.
• Half N at sowing and remaining at 30-40 DAS (Days After Sowing).

Irrigation Management

• Lentil is mainly grown as a rainfed crop, but if irrigation is available:
  • First irrigation: At the time of flowering.
  • Second irrigation: At pod formation stage.
  • Avoid excessive irrigation as lentil is susceptible to waterlogging.

Weed Management

• Manual weeding: At 25-30 DAS.
• Herbicides:
  • Pendimethalin (1 kg/ha) as pre-emergence application.
  • Imazethapyr (0.75 kg/ha) as post-emergence at 20-25 DAS.

Pest and Disease Management

Major Pests

Major Diseases

Harvesting and Yield

• Harvesting time: When 80-90% of pods turn brown.
• Harvesting method: By hand or with mechanical harvesters.
• Threshing: Done by beating the dried plants or using a thresher.
• Yield:
  • Rainfed conditions: 8-12 q/ha.
  • Irrigated conditions: 15-20 q/ha.

Storage

• Proper drying to 10-12% moisture content before storage.
• Store in airtight containers to prevent insect infestation.
• Use Neem leaves or fumigants to protect from storage pests.

Cropping Systems

• Intercropping: Lentil + Mustard, Lentil + Wheat.
• Crop rotation: Lentil-Wheat, Lentil-Maize.
• Relay cropping: Lentil after rice harvesting.

Economic Importance

• Nutritional Value: High protein content (25-28%), rich in iron and dietary fiber.
• Soil Improvement: Fixes atmospheric nitrogen, enhancing soil fertility.
• Market Demand: High demand for domestic consumption and export.