Yield Of Lentil Research Articles

Yield, growth and grain nitrogen response to elevated CO2 in six lentil (Lens culinaris) cultivars grown under Free Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) in a semi-arid environment

Abstract Atmospheric CO 2 concentrations ([CO 2 ]) are predicted to increase from current levels of about 400 ppm to reach 550 ppm by 2050. The direct benefits of elevated [CO 2 ] (e[CO 2 ]) to plant growth appear to be greater under low rainfall conditions, but there are few field (Free Air CO 2 Enrichment or FACE) experimental set-ups that directly address semi-arid conditions. The objectives of this study were to investigate the following research questions: 1) What are the effects of e[CO 2 ] on the growth and grain yield of lentil ( Lens culinaris ) grown under semi-arid conditions under FACE? 2) Does e[CO 2 ] decrease grain nitrogen in lentil? and 3) Is there genotypic variability in the response to e[CO 2 ] in lentil cultivars? Elevated [CO 2 ] increased yields by approximately 0.5 t ha −1 (relative increase ranging from 18 to 138%) by increasing both biomass accumulation (by 32%) and the harvest index (by up to 60%). However, the relative response of grain yield to e[CO 2 ] was not consistently greater under dry conditions and might depend on water availability post-flowering. Grain nitrogen concentration was significantly reduced by e[CO 2 ] under the conditions of this experiment. No differences were found between the cultivars selected in the response to elevated [CO 2 ] for grain yield or any other parameters observed despite well expressed genotypic variability in many traits of interest. Biomass accumulation from flowering to maturity was considerably increased by elevated [CO 2 ] (a 50% increase) which suggests that the indeterminate growth habit of lentils provides vegetative sinks in addition to reproductive sinks during the grain-filling period.

Identification of High-Temperature Tolerant Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) Genotypes through Leaf and Pollen Traits.

Rising temperatures are proving detrimental for various agricultural crops. Cool-season legumes such as lentil (Lens culunaris Medik.) are sensitive to even small increases in temperature during the reproductive stage, hence the need to explore the available germplasm for heat tolerance as well as its underlying mechanisms. In the present study, a set of 38 core lentil accessions were screened for heat stress tolerance by sowing 2 months later (first week of January; max/min temperature >32/20°C during the reproductive stage) than the recommended date of sowing (first week of November; max/min temperature <32/20°C during the reproductive stage). Screening revealed some promising heat-tolerant genotypes (IG2507, IG3263, IG3297, IG3312, IG3327, IG3546, IG3330, IG3745, IG4258, and FLIP2009) which can be used in a breeding program. Five heat-tolerant (HT) genotypes (IG2507, IG3263, IG3745, IG4258, and FLIP2009) and five heat-sensitive (HS) genotypes (IG2821, IG2849, IG4242, IG3973, IG3964) were selected from the screened germplasm and subjected to further analysis by growing them the following year under similar conditions to probe the mechanisms associated with heat tolerance. Comparative studies on reproductive function revealed significantly higher pollen germination, pollen viability, stigmatic function, ovular viability, pollen tube growth through the style, and pod set in HT genotypes under heat stress. Nodulation was remarkably higher (1.8–22-fold) in HT genotypes. Moreover, HT genotypes produced more sucrose in their leaves (65–73%) and anthers (35–78%) that HS genotypes, which was associated with superior reproductive function and nodulation. Exogenous supplementation of sucrose to in vitro-grown pollen grains, collected from heat-stressed plants, enhanced their germination ability. Assessment of the leaves of HT genotypes suggested significantly less damage to membranes (1.3–1.4-fold), photosynthetic function (1.14–1.17-fold) and cellular oxidizing ability (1.1–1.5-fold) than HS genotypes, which was linked to higher relative leaf water content (RLWC) and stomatal conductance (gS). Consequently, HT genotypes had less oxidative damage (measured as malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide concentration), coupled with a higher expression of antioxidants, especially those of the ascorbate–glutathione pathway. Controlled environment studies on contrasting genotypes further supported the impact of heat stress and differentiated the response of HT and HS genotypes to varying temperatures. Our studies indicated that temperatures >35/25°C were highly detrimental for growth and yield in lentil. While HT genotypes tolerated temperatures up to 40/30°C by producing fewer pods, the HS genotypes failed to do so even at 38/28°C. The findings attributed heat tolerance to superior pollen function and higher expression of leaf antioxidants.

Source of resistant against Fusarium wilt and Stemphylium blight in lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus)

The crop yield of lentil is below attainable levels which are mainly attributed to pathological factors especially lentil wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lentis and Stemphylium blight caused by Stemphylium botryosum .Fusarium wilt is a potential threat to letil production not only in Nepal but worldwide that can cause complete crop failure. While stemphylium blight is recently being serious problem to Bangladesh, Nepal and India. In Nepal, multiple disease resistance work was not reported in lentil before the present study. Two trials separately using 185 genotypes were conducted to study the wilt and stem phylium blight were conducted. For wilt screening one hundred eighty five lentil lines including resistant check ILL7164 and susceptible check sindur, were sown in a previously developed wilt sick bed, while for stem phylium blight serarate trial was conducted in the research area of Regional Agricultural Research Station Nepalgunj using augmented design. Natural inoculums were also relied upon. Disease severity data were recorded. Results revealed that incase of Fusarium wilt sixteen genotypes were found resistant and twenty-three moderately resistant while in case of Stemphylium blight 87 resistant and 36 moderately resistant in field condition. It also indicated that 9 genotypes i.e RL-13,RL-21,ILL6468,ILL9996,\ILL6024,ILL6811,ILL7164,Arun,Maheswar bharti showed combined resistant to both the diseases.Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 5(1): 102-107

Effect of foliar sprays of micronutrients on plant growth and yield of lentil under rainfed condition of Uttarakhand hills

Effect of foliar sprays of micronutrients on plant growth and yield of lentil under rainfed condition of Uttarakhand hills

Fertility levels and weed management influence on weed dynamics, yield and nutrient uptake in lentil

Fertility levels and weed management influence on weed dynamics, yield and nutrient uptake in lentil

Effect of sulphur on yield, nutrient uptake and economics of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and lentil (Lens culinaris) grown in sequence on an alluvial soil

Effect of sulphur on yield, nutrient uptake and economics of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and lentil (Lens culinaris) grown in sequence on an alluvial soil

Lentil Response to Nitrogen Application and Rhizobia Inoculation

ABSTRACTLentils (Lens culinaris L.) are an important component of the dryland farming systems in the western USA. Optimum nitrogen (N) management can enhance yield and quality of lentils. We conducted a field (at two locations, one with previous history of lentil and the other one without lentil history) and a greenhouse study to evaluate response of lentil to the application of rhizobium inoculant and starter N (control, 22 kg N ha−1 in the form of urea [U], 22 kg N ha−1 in the form of slow-release or environmentally safe nitrogen [ESN], and 22 kg N ha−1 U + 22 kg N ha−1 ESN). In both, the field and the laboratory studies, lentil yield did not respond positively to the experimental treatments. Lentil average yield was 1216 and 1420 kg ha−1 at the field condition. In this rain-fed system, lentil yield was mainly limited by moisture availability, and the application of an external N did not contribute to the yield enhancement. Both of these treatments, however, increased protein content. Compared to the control, the application of rhizobium plus U and ESN enhanced protein content by about 34% (from 23.1 to 30.9%). The application of U+ESN also considerably increased postharvest residual nitrate (NO3)-N in the soil, which can be easily leached and creates environmental pollution. Briefly, the application of U+ESN increases lentil protein content, but more efforts are needed to optimize N management in lentils in order to reduce the environmental concerns in the shallow soil.

Growth of lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) as influenced by phosphorus, Rhizobium and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria

The experiment was conducted to study the effect of four levels of phosphorus (0, 20, 30 and 40 kg P2O5 ha-1) and four biofertilizer treatments [uninoculated control, Rhizobium, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and Rhizobium + PGPR] on growth and grain yield of lentil. The experiment was conducted in factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The periodic data recorded at 30, 60, 90, 120 days after sowing (DAS) and at harvest showed that the highest growth in various parameters i.e. plant height, branches plant-1 and shoot dry matter accumulation was recorded with application of 40 kg P2O5 ha-1, however, it was at par with 30 P2O5 ha-1. Among the biofertilizers, Rhizobium + PGPR treatment gave maximum values of growth parameters like plant height, branches plant-1 and shoot dry matter accumulation at all the stages. At 30-60 DAS, the maximum crop growth rate (CGR) was recorded with the application of 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 (71.3 kg ha-1 day-1) and co-inoculation of Rhizobium and PGPR (72.0 kg ha-1 day-1). Application of 40 P2O5 ha-1 and use of coinoculation (Rhizobium + PGPR) provided the highest grain yields. The study highlights the importance of phosphorus application and biofertilizers inoculation for improving the growth and grain yield of lentil.

Zeolite Use Effi ciency Variation under Water Defi cit Stress in Grass Pea and Lentil

To evaluate the effect of different application rates of zeolites under drought stress conditions on the protein and biomass production, and zeolite use efficiency in grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) and lentil (Lens culinaris L.), two-way ANOVA based on randomized complete block design was conducted at Research Farm of Urmia University in 2012. Two levels of irrigation (irrigation at field capacity (FC) and 50 % FC) and four levels of zeolites (0, 10, 20 and 30 tons/ha) were applied. Results of ANOVA showed the significant effect of zeolite application on protein yield, protein harvest index, and zeolite use efficiency for protein and biomass production and significant effect of irrigation regime on protein yield, protein harvest index and zeolite use efficiency for grass pea protein production. There were significant effects of zeolite application on the biomass, protein yield, and protein harvest index, and significant effects of irrigation regime on protein yield and protein harvest index of lentil. However significant interaction effect between zeolite and irrigation on zeolite use efficiency for protein and biomass production in lentil was obtained. The results indicated that water deficit stress significantly decreased these traits, whereas the application of zeolite compensated the negative effect of the drought stress. Zeolite use efficiency for grass pea and lentil biomass and protein production decreased in high rates of mineral application (30 tons/ha). The highest protein yield (307.12 kg/ha) and protein harvest index (14.2 %) of grass pea, and protein yield (222.59 kg/ha), biological yield (2587.6 kg/ha), and protein harvest index (8.6 %) of lentil were obtained when 30 tons/ha of zeolite were applied. These findings strongly suggested that the irrigation intervals of grass pea and lentil could be extended by application of zeolite.

Carbon footprint of lentil in old Brahmaputra floodplain soil

Crop production has contributed significantly to global carbon footprint (CF). Characterizing the carbon footprint of agricultural production offers key information for achieving low carbon agriculture. Bangladesh has struggled for long and worked hard for increasing food production capacity for its large growing population. It is necessary to choose the crops and management practices which have low CF to maintain a win-win situation between food production and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, the CF of Bangladesh’s crop production has not yet been assessed. Therefore, this study was conducted to estimate the CF of lentil as one of the major legumes cultivated in Bangladesh. The crop was cultivated at the Soil Science Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) Farm, Mymensingh i.e. Agro-ecological zone (AEZ 9) during November, 2013 to April, 2014 by following standard management practices. The Carbon footprint was calculated by using the collected emission factors from literature as default values for each input and operation used for the production of crops as per guideline of ISO (2006) and IPCC (2006). The GHG emissions in the crop fields are taken from the studies of Pathak and Aggarwal (2012). The yield of lentil was 0.90 t ha-1 with a CF of 406 kg CO2-equivalentst-1 of lentil. Direct and indirect GHG emissions singly contributed the half of CF accounting 52.54% of total CF. The contribution of fertilizer, irrigation, machinery and labor inputs to the overall carbon footprint were 23.16%, 15.97%, 1.26% and 7.06%, respectively. Among the fertilizers, nitrogenous fertilizer was dominant and singly contributed to 70% of fertilizer CF. However, for developing best management practices for climate change mitigation in crop production of Bangladesh, further studies of soil and regional specific CFs of lentil are needed.Progressive Agriculture 27 (2): 162-167, 2016

Physiological and biochemical adaptations in lentil genotypes under drought stress

Drought is a major restrictive factor for declining grain yield in lentil globally. Present investigation was conducted by taking microsperma (HUL-57) and macrosperma (IPL-406) genotypes of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) as information regarding physiological and biochemical basis of differences in drought resistance in macrosperma (bold-seeded) and microsperma (small-seeded) are not well understood. Pot grown plants were exposed to drought stress at specific phenophase viz. mid-vegetative, flower initiation and pod formation stage by withholding irrigation till the plants experienced one cycle of permanent wilting (PWP). Genotypes exhibited substantial differences for most of the measured traits under drought irrespective of the phenophase of stress imposed. Under drought HUL-57 had lower CMI, higher CSI, lower values of Δ13C, maintained higher SLN, accumulated more N and efficiently remobilized accumulated N to developing seeds. Higher chlorophyll content, increased accumulation of osmotically active solutes viz. soluble sugars and proline under drought stress was evident in HUL-57. Drought induced H2O2 accumulation and lipid peroxidation in both genotypes, but increments were of lesser magnitudes in HUL-57. Drought stress of pod formation stage followed by flower initiation stage was most damaging than the stress imposed at mid-vegetative stage in both genotypes. HUL-57 showed a better drought resistance capacity than IPL-406. Drought indices viz. DSI, STI and MP are proposed as criterion to identify and breed lentil genotypes for drought conditions.

Livelihood analysis of lentil (Lens culinaris) farmers in Chanduali district of Uttar Pradesh

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) is one of the most important pulse crops in India, which plays a major role in supplementing the income of small and marginal farmers of Chanduali district of Uttar Pradesh. One of the major constraints of pulses in India and also in lentil is low productivity due to non-adoption of recommended package and practices and improved varieties. In India, lentil is grown about 1.42 million hectare of land with production of 1.13 million tonnes in 2012-13. But yield of Indian lentils (797 kg/ha) is far below the world average (1 139 kg/ha) which require strong research as well as extension. The results of improved technological intervention brought out that the yield of lentil could be increased by 28.56% to 49.24%, if proper package and practices are followed.

Effect of Supplemental Irrigation on Lentil Yield and Growth in Semi-Arid Environment

Effect of Supplemental Irrigation on Lentil Yield and Growth in Semi-Arid Environment

Effect of Supplemental Irrigation on Lentil Yield and Growth in Semi-Arid Environment

Lentil is one of the most promising legume crops providing nutritional and food assurance to human beings. Due to extensive production of lentil crop in rain-fed agriculture system, its growth and yield are mainly determined by the levels of precipitation. Consequently, it usually faces drought stress during the generative stage resulting in low yield. In such scenario, controlled supplemental irrigation (SI) can improve and stabilize the productivity. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the effect of supplemental irrigation on the growth and yield of lentil crop under semi-arid climate conditions of Turkey. An experiment was performed during two consecutive crop seasons at Sanliurfa, Turkey with annual mean rainfall of 196 and 275 mm in the first and second experimental year, respectively. Six supplementary irrigation treatments were given using drip irrigation system [no supplement irrigation (I0), 25% (I25), 50% (I50), 75% (I75), 100% (I100, full irrigation) and 125% (I125) supplement irrigation depending on the available soil water content]. Results obtained in the study indicated that in both study years, highest biomass, harvest index and grain yield values were obtained from fully irrigated treatments (I100), while non-supplementary irrigated treatments have provided lowest values. It should be clearly noticed that growth parameters including yield were lower under over-irrigation treatment (I125). Hence, it is recommended that farmers need to optimize the supplemental irrigation technique to obtain desired yields. This study will support the successful usage of the supplemental irrigation technology to improve lentil productivity, particularly under semi-arid environment.

Efficacy of Five Herbicides for Weed Control in Rain-Fed Lentil (Lens culinarisMedik.)

Lentil is vulnerable to weed competition because of its short stature, slow establishment, and limited vegetative growth. Although the vast majority of lentil production is under rain-fed conditions, there is a little published information on weed control with herbicides in rain-fed lentils. Field experiments were conducted to determine the efficacy of nine herbicide treatments including fomesafen, imazethapyr, linuron, pendimethalin, and pyridate alone or in combination compared with one or two hand weeding(s) on weed control and yield response in rain-fed lentil in Khorramabad, Iran in 2012 and 2013. Weed species included catchweed bedstraw, cowcockle, haresear mustard, hoary cress, wild mustard, and wild safflower. Total weed dry biomass in weedy check plots averaged 156 and 170 g m−2in 2012 and 2013, respectively, and weed density and biomass were reduced in all treatments compared to the weedy check in both years. Plots that were hand weeded twice reduced weed biomass the greatest, whereas fomesafen, linuron, or one hand weeding did not control weeds satisfactorily. Noncontrolled weeds reduced lentil yield by 67% both years compared to the weed-free control. Lentil yield in 2013 (1,370 kg ha−1) was higher than in 2012 (1,150 kg ha−1). All herbicides tested injured lentil slightly, with pyridate (1,200 g ai ha−1) and pendimethalin (660 g ai ha−1plus imazethapyr at 250 to 500 g ai ha−1) causing the least injury. Across all treatments, imazethapyr plus pendimethalin PRE, pyridate POST, and two hand-weeding treatments had the best performance for weed control and lentil yield.

Winter sowing of adapted lines as a potential yield increase strategy in lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.)

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik. subsp. culinaris) is a traditional crop in Spain although current grain yield in Spain is relatively low and unstable. The effect of an early sowing date (winter sowing) on yield in the Spanish Central Plateau (meseta) was analyzed comparing it to the traditional spring sowing. Yield from eleven cultivars currently available for sowing in Spain and two F6:7 populations of recombinant inbred lines (RIL), ´Precoz´ × ´WA8649041´ (89 lines) and ´BGE016365´ × ´ILL1918´ (118 lines), was evaluated in winter and spring sowing dates for three seasons (2005/06, 2006/07 and 2007/08) and two localities. Yield and stability were assessed by the method of consistency of performance with some modifications. When comparing with the best currently available cultivars sown in the traditional spring sowing date, (with an estimated average yield of 43.9 g/m in our experimental conditions), winter sowing using adapted breeding lines proved to be a suitable strategy for increasing lentil yield and yield stability in the Spanish meseta, with an average yield increase of 111% (reaching an estimated yield of 92.8 g/m). Results point to that lentil production can greatly increase in the Spanish meseta if adequate plant materials, such as some of the lines analyzed, are sown at late fall.

Effects of stubble length of rice in mitigating soil moisture stress and on yield of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) in rice-lentil relay crop

Opportunity to utilize carry-over residual soil moisture to produce lentil crop in rice-fallows was one of the basic and strategic research objectives of the present experiment. Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik, variety B-77) was broadcasted upon two rice habits viz. short-duration (SD, 110days) and long-duration (LD, 140days) in the end of October and first fortnight of November during 2011–2012, 2012–2013 and 2013–2014 seasons, in a clay loam Inceptisol of the Gangetic alluvium of eastern India. Two stubbles heights, viz. short (10cm) and long (20cm) were kept as standing residues at the time of harvesting of rice. Late sown lentil with short stubble residues faced surface soil drying earlier than early sown lentil or late sown lentil with tall stubble residues. Tall stubble height contributes only 1–4% higher soil water during vegetative to flowering stages than short stubble height. Stress was experienced when soil moisture content in the root-zone reached <22% in this soil and such stress decreased the leaf relative water content (RWC). Retaining tall rice stubbles on the soil surface decreased daytime soil temperature by 9.4–14.6°C and modified the crop coefficient (Kc) by increasing transpiration and reducing evaporation, thereby maintaining higher leaf area index (LAI). The Kc values for the initial, development, mid and late season stages of lentil under relay cropping were 0.48, 0.54, 0.82 and 0.48, respectively, with short and tall standing stubble heights. Root length density (RLD) values increased at a faster rate in 200–400mm layer, especially in tall stubble than short. Soil moisture stress was negatively related (R2=0.66, P<0.05) to RWC, however, RLD maintained an asymptotic relationship with RWC. Actual evapotranspiration (ETa) of lentil amounted to 154.8mm and the ETa in broadcasted upon SD rice was 14% higher than ETa in LD rice. Lentil in tall stubbles amounted to 150.6mm ETa, which was 7% more than that in short stubbles. Yield of lentil broadcasted upon SD was 20% higher than 20days delay with LD rice, and tall stubbles produced 18% more yield than short stubbles. The water productivity (WP) of lentil under SD rice was only 6% higher than lentil in LD rice; however, tall stubbles produced 11% higher WP than short standing stubbles. Keeping stubbles height of SD or LD rice may be an efficient way of using the existing land and water resources for mitigating soil moisture stress and maintaining grain yield and water productivity of lentil relayed with short- and long-duration rice habits.

Effect of integrated phosphorus management on growth, yield and quality of lentil (Lens culinaris)

A field experiment was conducted during Rabi season of 2012-13 and 2013-14 to study the effect of integrated phosphorus management on growth, yield and quality of lentil. The trial was laid out in split plot design assigning 8 treatments of three phosphorus levels (0, 40 and 80 Kg ha-1), three mode of PSB application (soil application, seed inoculation including control) and sulphur application of 20 Kg ha-1 with control. The crop was fertilized up to 80 Kg ha-1 of phosphorus application enhanced more growth, yield attributes, seed yield and protein yield than the 40 Kg ha-1 and control, however the initial plant population per running meter was remain non-significant during both the years. The PSB applied by seed inoculation and 20 Kg ha-1 sulphur application were showed similar effects. The economic value also calculated to judge best combination and found that the 80 Kg ha-1 phosphorus application, seed inoculation with PSB and 20 Kg ha-1 sulphur application received more net income (ha-1) and benefit cost ratio also.

Heat Stress at Reproductive Stage Disrupts Leaf Carbohydrate Metabolism, Impairs Reproductive Function, and Severely Reduces Seed Yield in Lentil

ABSTRACTRising temperatures or global warming will be detrimental for various crops. Moreover, because of increasing demand for lentil (Lens culinaris L.) grains, there is a need to broaden the adaptation of this crop into warmer climes. Hence, a study was conducted to evaluate the effects of high temperatures (>32/20oC) during reproductive growth on performance of lentil and to probe the mechanisms associated with reproductive failures. Three lentil genotypes, viz., LL699, LL931, and LL1122, were grown in pots at two sowing dates: (1) the normal sowing time (NS) in November so that day/night temperatures during the reproductive stage were below 32/20°C; and (2) late-sown (LS) in February so that temperatures during the reproductive stage were above 32/20°C. The plants were fully irrigated during both the sowing situations. In LS plants, the phenology was accelerated, leading to substantial reduction in biomass, flowers, and pods, accompanied by marked shortening of flowering period and podding duration, causing decreased seed yield. At the peak flowering stage (average temp. >32/23oC), the leaves of the LS plants had significantly lower relative leaf water content and lower stomatal conductance than NS plants at the same stage, indicating that the late sowing induced both water stress and heat stress. In LS plants, reproductive function was markedly reduced in all genotypes, causing increased pod abortion. The leaves of LS plants showed increased damage to membranes, chlorosis, decreased photochemical efficiency, with an associated reduction in sucrose synthesis and increase in its hydrolysis, compared with the NS plants. Heat stress, in combination with intermittent water stress during the reproductive phase in the LS plants, was extremely detrimental for all three lentil genotypes, with only minor differences among them. Controlled-environment studies, where the plants were subjected to high temperatures (33/15°C, 35/20°C) during reproductive growth, also validated the detrimental effects of heat stress on studied traits, similar to outdoor conditions.

Effect of seed hydro-priming and urea spray on yield parameters, yield and quality of lentil (Lens culinaris medikus)

Field experiments were conducted for three years at Pulses and Oilseeds Research Station, Berhampore, Murshidabad, West Bengal, India during rabi 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 to study the effects of seed hydro-priming and urea spray in lentil. The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design with four replications having ten treatment combinations viz. two levels of seed priming as factor A and five levels of foliar spray of 2% urea solution as factor B. Experimental results revealed that growth, yield attributing characters, yield and seed protein content of lentil were significantly influenced by seed hydro-priming, urea spray and interaction effects of these two factors. Significantly higher seed yield was obtained under the water soaking treatment (1211 kg ha-1) as compared to no soaking (1169 kg ha-1). Among the foliar spray treatments, two sprays at branching and pod initiation stages recorded the highest seed yield (1271 kg ha-1) of lentil cultivar WBL-58 followed by one spray at flower initiation stage (1236 kg ha-1) irrespective of seed priming. Among the interaction effects, two sprays at branching and pod initiation along with water soaking recorded the highest seed yield (1295 kg ha-1) followed by one spray at flower initiation along with water soaking (1265 kg ha-1). Seed hydro-priming and urea spray were found to increase the seed yield of lentil to the tune of 17.9 % and seed protein content by 19% over their non application.