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Treatments
Lentil seed can be treated with a fungicide treatment for the control of seed-borne
ascochyta, and root rots and blights.
Dates
Lentils can be seeded early in the growing season. Lentils will tolerate several
degrees of frost and will regrow if the above-ground portion is damaged. Yield will
usually be reduced if lentils are seeded after the third week in May.
| Days to maturity by market class |
| Market Class |
Days to Maturity |
| small red cotyledon |
91 |
| small yellow cotyledon |
91 |
| medium yellow cotyledon |
96 |
| large yellow cotyledon |
100 |
Rates
Seeding rate will vary with seed size and germination. Target a plant population of
approximately 10-14 plants/ft2. Small lentil varieties, such as Eston and Dark speckled,
should be seeded at a rate of 30-40 lb/acre. Larger-seeded varieties, such as Laird,
should be seeded at a rate of 70-80 lb/acre.
Seeding Depth
1 to 1.5 inches. Seed should be sown to moisture. Seeding depth should be increased in
soils with a low water-holding capacity.
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Weed control in lentils is important because lentils are a relatively non-competitive
crop. Herbicides for the control of certain broadleaf weeds (Canada thistle, perennial sow
thistle and dandelion) either are not available or provide less than acceptable control.
Lentils must be sown to fields free of difficult-to-control perennial weeds such as Canada thistle and
perennial
sow thistle. Consider applying pre-harvest herbicides the year
before growing lentils for perennial weed control.
Link: How to obtain printed copies
of the Field Scouting Guide and Guide to Crop Protection.
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Cutworms
may be a problem in lentils early in the season. Grasshoppers can
also be a problem in lentils.
Link: How to obtain printed copies
of the Field Scouting Guide and Guide to Crop Protection.
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Diseases affecting Lentils
Diseases in lentils are ascochyta blight,
anthracnose, fusarium root rot, rhizoctonia root rot and sclerotinia. Anthracnose and
ascochyta blight can cause severe yield loss in lentils.
Anthracnose can be first noticed as white to
gray or cream-coloured spots develop on the leaflets and stem. They usually appear on the
base of the stem and move up the plant canopy. Leaf drop occurs as the disease progresses.
Ascochyta blight also starts with light-gray to
tan spots occurring on the leaflets, stems and pods, but will have a dark margin around
the spot. The centres of the spots turn light-coloured and develop small black spots in
them. The crop will look blighted in appearance. Both diseases can be managed by using a
foliar fungicide program.
Crop rotation (growing lentils only once in
four years), and the use of certified, disease-free seed will help to minimize the
disease.
Root rots become evident at any stage from emergence to maturity. Individual plants become
stunted, turn yellow, and die. Essentially the root system has been destroyed. Crop
rotation may help. However, the wide host range of these diseases makes this a less than
effective option.
Also refer to Scouting for Diseases
Crop disease
identification, scouting techniques, economic thresholds.
For information on varietal differences to disease susceptibility consult
Seed Manitoba.
Link: How to obtain printed copies
of the Field Scouting Guide and Guide to Crop Protection.
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Desiccation
Desiccation is useful when the crop is not uniform or weeds are prevalent. Consult the
Guide to Crop Protection and product labels for specific directions for use.
Swathing
A pickup reel will help in moving the plant material off the cutter bar onto the canvas.
Swaths are very prone to blowing, so whenever possible they should be combined immediately
after swathing. Lifter guards on the swather will allow for cutting close to the soil
surface.
Combining
Lentils are considered dry at 14 per cent moisture. However, lentils should be harvested
at 16-18 per cent to avoid excess splitting or cracking of the seed. Lentils thresh easily
and a slow cylinder speed (400 rpm) will reduce cracking. Set the concave wide enough to
avoid cracking.
Storage and Handling
Lentils can be safely be stored at 16 per cent. When combined tough, lentils should be
aerated to 14-16 per cent seed moisture content.
Grade
The major quality concerns in lentil grading are colour (staining, dirt tag) and damage
due to heating and peeled, split or broken seed, as well as foreign material.
For specific information on:
These and other Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives
publications are available from your local extension office under the headings of Crops & Plants, Soil
& Conservation, and Weed, Insect & Disease. Your local GO Office representative can help you
find those resources most relevant to your needs.
Links:
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