Registration of ‘Essex’ Lentil

Abstract

‘Essex’ (Reg. No. CV‐33, PI 657980; experimental designation LC01602307E) lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) was released by the USDA‐ARS in August 2009. Essex, a small‐seeded lentil with yellow cotyledons and green seed coat, was released based on its yield performance relative to that of the cultivar Eston. Essex is an F12 line derived from an F5 selection from a ‘Richlea’//PI 297754 cross. Essex was tested in advanced yield trials for a total of 16 site‐years in the U.S. Pacific Northwest (Idaho and Washington). Over all environments, Essex averaged 1300 kg ha−1, which was 35 and 26% greater than that of Eston and Athena, respectively. Essex reaches maturity at approximately 99 d, 1 d later than Eston. The green‐plant height of Essex averaged 37.2 cm, as compared with 32.6 cm for Eston. The mature‐plant height of Essex averaged 33.2 cm, as compared with 31.6 cm for Eston. However, difference between Essex and Eston for maturity, green‐plant height, and mature‐plant height were not significant. The mean 100‐seed weight of Essex was 4.3 g, which is significantly greater than that of Eston (3.5 g 100 seed−1). Essex will be targeted for production in the Pacific Northwest of the United States and is expected to be exported primarily to Mexico.