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Archeological investigation has shown that lentils
have been grown since the early Stone Age. India leads the world
in lentil production, and India and its neighbours consume most
of the lentils. The Palouse area of Washington and Idaho was originally
the main area of lentil production in North America, but since
Canada began production in 1969, Canada, Turkey and Australia have been the largest lentil exporters in the world.
The Lentil Plant
Lentils are classified into two groups by seed size. The large
seeded Chilean type has a seed size that averages 50 grams or
more per 1000 seeds. The small seeded Persian type has a seed
size that averages 40 grams or less per 1000 seeds. For both
types of lentils, the seeds are lens-shaped which is the source
of the name lentil. Seed coat colours range from clear to green,
brown, grey, blotched purple or black. The cotyledons can be yellow,
red or green.
Growing Lentils
Lentils perform best on level or slightly rolling land at a soil
pH of 6.0 to 8.0. Lentil plants do not do well on waterlogged
soils and will not tolerate flooding or salinity. Although lentils
are somewhat drought tolerant, they do require at least moderate
moisture (6 to 10 inches) during the growing season to produce
a full seed set. Excess moisture before the plant is in full bloom
can delay and reduce seed set, and excess moisture near the time
of harvest encourages the spread of fungal diseases.
Lentil plants are short and must be cut near the soil surface,
so fields should be free of surface stones and dirt lumps. To
obtain the best surface possible, a land roller is used to smooth
the soil surface. Lentil seedlings are tolerant of light frost
(minus 4 degrees Celsius) and can re-grow from below the soil
surface if early frost damage is severe. Frost in late summer
or early fall will damage young pods and immature seeds. Growing Herbicide-Tolerant Lentils
The first herbicide-tolerant (HT) lentil varieties in Canada, from the CLEARFIELD Production System for Lentils, were made commercially available in 2007. These varieties are developed and brought to market through a joint venture, involving BASF, the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) and the University of Saskatchewan's Crop Development Centre (CDC).
The distribution of CLEARFIELD lentil seed is managed through SPG's Variety Release Program. Growers interested in growing CLEARFIELD lentils can purchase seed directly from an SPG Select Seed Grower or a local lentil grower. As part of this process, growers also sign a CLEARFIELD Commitment, which is their annual agreement and license to access the CLEARFIELD technology, at no additional cost.
The following CLEARFIELD lentil varieties will be available for the 2009 growing season: - CDC Impala CL (extra-small red)
- CDC Imperial (extra-small red)
- CDC Maxim CL (small red)
- CDC Impact (small red)
- CDC Impress CL (medium green)
- CDC Improve (large green)
With the 2009 variety additions lentil growers now have access to herbicide tolerant varieties in every market class. And, thanks to continued variety development with CDC and SPG, lentil growers can expect to see another three green varieties (a small, medium and large) and one more small red variety coming down the CLEARFIELD lentil pipeline soon. ODYSSEY®
DLX, ODYSSEY and SOLO® herbicides are registered for use on CLEARFIELD lentils, providing growers multiple option for weed control in this crop.
Click here for more information about the CLEARFIELD Production System for Lentils, including available varieties, weed control products and the production process. Or, contact AgSolutions by BASF at 1-877-371-BASF(2273).
  Online Resources
Check out these useful websites related to lentil production.
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