Climate / Temperature: The climate for growing lentils should be cool and dry, with a maximum temperature ranging from 30 to 35 degrees Celsius.
Lentil crops do not require a large amount of water; however, proper water management is essential. Adequate irrigation must be arranged for the growth of the crop.
Soil: The soil type should be clayey to loamy, which is more suitable for its cultivation. Lentils are particularly sown in fallow fields after paddy cultivation.
Major Varieties:
| No. | Variety | Productivity (q/ha) | Maturity Period (days) | Suitable Area | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I.P.L.-81 | 18-20 | 120-125 | Bundelkhand | Small seeds, resistant to wilt disease |
| 2 | Narendra Masoor-1 | 20-22 | 135-140 | All of UP | Wilt resistant, medium seeds |
| 3 | D.P.L.-62 | 18-20 | 130-135 | All of UP | Medium-sized seeds |
| 4 | Pant Masoor-5 | 18-20 | 130-135 | All of UP | Medium seeds, wilt resistant |
| 5 | Pant Masoor-4 | 18-20 | 135-140 | Plain regions | Small seeds, wilt resistant |
| 6 | D.P.L.-15 | 18-20 | 130-135 | Plain regions | Medium to large seeds, tolerant to wilt |
| 7 | L-4076 | 18-20 | 135-140 | All of UP | Dark green plants, low spreading |
| 8 | Pusa Vaibhav | 18-22 | 135-140 | Plain regions | High yielding |
| 9 | K.-75 | 14-16 | 120-125 | All of UP | Medium plants, large seeds, wilt affected |
| 10 | H.U.L.-57 | 18-22 | 125-135 | All of UP | Small seeds, resistant to wilt |
| 11 | K.L.S.-218 | 18-20 | 125-130 | Eastern UP | Small seeds, resistant to wilt |
| 12 | I.P.L.-406 | 15-18 | 125-130 | Western UP | Large seeds, resistant to wilt |
| 13 | Shekhar-3 | 20-22 | 125-130 | All of UP | Wilt and root rot resistant |
| 14 | Shekhar-2 | 20-22 | 125-130 | All of UP | Wilt and root rot resistant |
| 15 | I.P.L.-316 | 18-22 | 115-120 | Bundelkhand | Resistant to root rot |
Sowing of Crops: Timely sowing is ideal from mid-October to mid-November. In case of delays, sowing should be done by the first week of December. Sowing lentils using a zero-till seed drill from Pantnagar is more profitable.
Seed Rate: For timely sowing, a seed rate of 30-40 kg per hectare is sufficient, while for late and northern sowing, 40-50 kg per hectare is recommended.
Seed Treatment: Treat 10 kg of seeds with 200 grams of Rhizobium leguminosarum culture before sowing, especially in fields where lentils have not been previously cultivated. Seed treatment should be done after chemical treatments as well. Use PSB (Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria) for better results.
Fertilizer: For normal sowing, apply 20 kg of nitrogen, 60 kg of phosphorus, 20 kg of potash, and 20 kg of sulfur per hectare. For northern sowing, top-dress with 20 kg of nitrogen after paddy harvest, and apply phosphorus (30 kg) twice during flowering and pod formation.
Water Management: One irrigation should be done before flowering. If lentils are sown in paddy fields and no rainfall occurs, an irrigation should be provided at the pod formation stage.
Weed Management:
Major Weeds: Bathua, Sanji, Krishnaneel, Hirankhuri, Chhatri-Matari, Wild Carrot, etc.
Control Measures: For weed control, use Fluchloralin 45% E.C. or Pendimethalin 30% E.C. If chemicals are not used, hand weeding with a hoe should be done.
Harvesting: Harvest the crop when it is fully mature. After threshing, store the grains using two aluminum phosphide tablets per metric ton for pest protection.
Diseases & Disease Prevention:
Major Pests:
Control Measures:
Major Diseases:
Control Measures:
