Yield Of Lentil Research Articles

EFFICIENT TILLAGE AND NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR SUSTAINABLE YIELDS, PROFITABILITY AND ENERGY USE EFFICIENCY FOR RICE-BASED CROPPING SYSTEM IN DIFFERENT SOILS AND AGRO-CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

SUMMARYLong-term tillage and fertilizer experiments were conducted in rice in kharif followed by lentil in dry subhumid Inceptisols at Varanasi and Faizabad; horse gram at Phulbani and linseed at Ranchi in moist subhumid Alfisols in rabi during 2001 to 2010. The study was conducted to assess the effect of conventional tillage (CT), low tillage + interculture (LT1) and low tillage + herbicide (LT2) together with 100% N (organic) (F1), 50% N (organic) + 50% N (inorganic) (F2) and 100% N (inorganic) (F3) on productivity, profitability, rainwater and energy use efficiencies. The results at Varanasi revealed that CT was superior with mean yield of 2389 kg ha−1, while F1 was superior with 2378 kg ha−1 in rice. At Faizabad, CT was superior with mean rice yield of 1851 kg ha−1 and lentil yield of 977 kg ha−1, while F1 was superior with 1704 and 993 kg ha−1 of rice and lentil, respectively. At Phulbani, F2 was superior with rice yield of 1170 kg ha−1. At Ranchi, F2 with rice yield of 986 kg ha−1 and F3 with linseed yield of 224 kg ha−1 were superior. The regression model of crop seasonal rainfall and yield deviations indicated an increasing trend in rice yield over mean (positive deviation) with increase in rainfall at all locations; while a decreasing trend (negative deviation) was found for lentil at Faizabad, horse gram at Phulbani and linseed at Ranchi. Based on economic analysis, CTF1 at Varanasi and Faizabad, CTF2 at Phulbani and LT2F2 at Ranchi were superior.

EFFECTS OF NITROGEN ON REPRODUCTIVE DURATION AND YIELD IN LENTIL CULTIVARS

Reduced nitrogen (N) uptake and N2 fixation during the reproductive growth may reduce the yield in lentil. Five cultivars were grown in two soil media and four N treatments of an inoculated control (NI), and receiving N until flowering (NF), podding (NP) and maturity (NM) in Saskatchewan, Canada. The NF treatment produced the lowest yield, and plants relying on fixation grew larger and yielded more. But NI produced less growth and yield than NP and NM plants, demonstrating that N2 fixation needed improvement for maximal yield. The NP treatment produced the highest yield and more efficiently used N than the later N application in NM. Nitrogen applied at and after mid-pod extended the days to maturity by increasing the reproductive growth period and post-flowering vegetative biomass. Current lentil cultivars require N supply up to at least the mid-pod stage, although the exact stage and timing of N supply need refinement.

Effect of Biofertilizers and Homo-brassinolide on Growth, Chlorophyll content, Yield, Nutrient Content and Uptake of Lentil (Lens culinarisMedik)

To determine the effect of biofertilizers and homo-brassinolide on growth, chlorophyll content, yield, nutrient content and uptake of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik), a field experiment was conducted at Sriniketan, West Bengal during the rabi season of 2009–2010 and 2010–2011. Dual inoculation of Pseudomonas striata and Glomus fasiculatum significantly improved dry matter accumulation (g m−2), total chlorophyll content, yield parameters like number of pods m−2, number of grains plant−1, grain yield (q), stalk yield (q), nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content and uptake. Among the biofertilizers, combined inoculation of Pseudomonas striata + Glomus fasiculatum harvested 31.83, 8.19 and 5.90 per cent in first year and 31.11, 7.43 and 5.85 per cent in second year higher grain yield over no inoculation, Pseudomonas striata, Glomus fasiculatum respectively. With increase in levels of spraying of homo-brassinolide increased growth and productivity of lentil. Spraying of homo-brassinolide at pre-flowering + pod development stages harvested 5.2 per cent in first year and 4.3 per cent in second year higher grain yield than spraying of homo-brassinolide at pre-flowering stage.

Effect of sowing date and variety on yield and weed populations in a lentil–barley mixture

SUMMARYThe present study examined variation in sowing date on lentils (Lens culinaris) in a standard lentil–barley (Hordeum vulgare) mixed cropping system in the temperate climate of central Europe to determine the effect on crop yield and weed control. A 2-year (2009/10) field experiment was carried out at the organic research station Kleinhohenheim (KH) and at the conventional research station Oberer Lindenhof (OLI) of the University Hohenheim, southwest Germany. The crop was sown at three dates in the period from March to May. Grain yield was significantly higher at the earliest sowing both for lentils (3·0 t/ha at KH, 2·4 t/ha at OLI) and barley (1·2 t/ha at KH, 2·6 t/ha at OLI). Weed biomass at KH increased significantly with delayed sowing and was independent of lentil genotype, whereas sowing date had no significant effect on overall weed biomass production at OLI. Unlike weed biomass, weed density generally decreased significantly with delayed sowing at OLI. The results indicate that early sowing can increase the yield of lentils, and can be used as an indirect method of weed control in some organic farming systems.

Lentil Performance in Response to Weather, No‐Till Duration, and Nitrogen in Saskatchewan

Increased soil N in no‐till (NT) systems can interfere with biological dinitrogen fixation (BNF), stimulate vegetative biomass, and affect harvest index (HI) and yield of lentil (Lens culinaris L.). In the black soils of Saskatchewan, the effects of short‐term (5–7 yr: ST) and long‐term (28–30 yr: LT) NT practices on lentil were investigated in two experiments from 2006 to 2008. One trial tested the effects of NT duration on plant N and yield of five cultivars; the second examined the response of a late‐maturing cultivar to NT duration at four rates of N fertilization. In both studies, average grain yield in 2006 and 2007 (warm seasons) was 21% greater than in 2008 (cool season), although total rainfall and plant N content was similar in 2007 and 2008. Average soil available N over the years was 23% greater in LT than ST, but the cultivars had 33% less N and 28% less yield in LT than ST in a dry year (2006), and similar performance in LT and ST in the wet years (2007 and 2008). The 60 kg N ha−1 treatment in the second trial diminished the yield difference between LT and ST in 2006. The only BNF measurement in 2008 showed that the cultivars fixed 10% less atmospheric N2 in LT than ST in this year. Overall, cool and wet growing conditions stimulate vegetative biomass and lower HI and yield of lentil, whereas a possible reduction of lentil BNF in NT systems is less likely to affect lentil yield.

Use of Two-Surface Langmuir-Type Equations for Assessment of Phosphorus Requirements of Lentil on Differently Textured Alluvial Soils

If soil solution phosphorus (P) optimum levels for plant growth (external P) are known, P adsorption isotherms or their equations could further be used to assess how much fertilizer P may be needed for optimum plants yield (QFPN) by adjusting this known external solution P requirement in the soil (ESPR). Surface soil samples were collected from a farmer's field area and research area. An adsorption study was conducted on Ustic Endoaquerts (S1 soil), Typic Calciargids (S2 soil), and Typic Torripsamments (S3 soil) to develop the two-surface Langmuir-type equations. Phosphorus adsorption data were obtained by equilibrating 10-g soil samples in 100 mL of 0.01 M calcium chloride (CaCl2) containing various amounts of monopotassium phosphate (KH2PO4). Thereafter, 11 P fertilizer rates were calculated by two-surface Langmuir-type equations to adjust different estimated soil solution P levels (EPAS) that were designated as treatments (0.05 to 0.90 mg L−1). Then field experiments on lentil (cv. Niab Masoor 2002) were conducted according to a randomized complete block design (RCBD) on these soils to determine internal (plant tissue), external (soil solution), and fertilizer P requirements. Maximum lentil seed yield (Mg ha−1) was 0.87 with T4 (0.17 mg P L−1) in S1 soil, 1.8 with T3 (0.20 mg P L−1) in S2 soil, and 0.73 with T7 (0.28 mg P L−1) in S3 soil, obtained by applying 170 kg P2O5 ha−1 in S1 soil, 110 kg P2O5 ha−1 in S2 soil, and 78 kg P2O5 ha−1 in S3 soil. Internal P concentrations (%) of the whole plant associated with 95% of maximum lentil seed yield at flowering stage were 0.245, 0.210, and 0.315 in S1, S2, and S3 soils, respectively. Internal P requirements of lentil seed were 0.290 in S1, 0.245% in S2, and 0.380% in S3 soil. The ESPRs for 95% of maximum yield of lentil were 0.16 mg L−1, in S1 soil, 0.23 mg L−1 in S2 soil, and 0.27 mg L−1 in S3 soil. The QFPN estimated from graphs corresponding to these ESPR values were 160 kg P2O5 ha−1 in S1 soil, 125 kg P2O5 ha−1 in S2 soil, and 74 kg P2O5 ha−1 in S3 soil. The QFPNs estimated from corresponding two-surface Langmuir-type equation by using respective ESPR values were 164, 127, and 75 kg P2O5 ha−1 in S1, S2, and S3 soil, respectively. Field-applied P2O5 amounts to adjust soil solution P levels (mg L−1) at 0.166 (T4), 0.229 (T4), and 0.281 (T7) were 170, 126, and 78 kg ha−1 in S1, S2, and S3 soil, respectively. Based on the results of these studies, we propose that QFPNs estimated by graphs against identified ESPR values or calculated by the use of corresponding two-surface Langmuir-type equations are in close proximity to the field-applied P to adjust desired EPAS value. Therefore, either of the two techniques may be used to estimate QFPN for optimum lentil yield. Close

Performance of lentil (Lens culinaris) and toria (Brassica campestris) intercropping with wheat (Triticum aestivum) under rainfed conditions of north-west Himalaya

A field experiment was conducted during winter (rabi) seasons of 2008–09 and 2009–10 at Hawalbagh to evaluate the performance of lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) and toria (Brassica campestris L. var. toria) intercropping with wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.). Wheat + lentil in 2:1 and 1:1 row ratios were superior to sole wheat and wheat + toria intercropping. Lentil yield was higher in 1:1 (0.45 tonne/ha) than in 2:1 (0.31 tonne/ha). Similarly, toria recorded higher yield in 1:1 (0.41 tonne/ha) than in 2:1 (0.30 tonne/ha) ratio. The highest wheat-equivalent yield (5.24 tonnes/ha), net returns (Rs 36 770/ha), benefit: cost ratio (1.81), monetary advantage index (Rs 7 207) and land-equivalent ratio (1.19) were obtained with wheat + lentil under 2:1 row ratio followed by 1:1 ratio. Negative values of aggressivity under intercrop indicated that wheat was dominant, and lentil and toria were the dominated crops. Competitive ratio and relative crowding coefficient of wheat was higher under intercropping of wheat with lentil under 1:1 and 2:1 ratios, respectively. Relative crowding coefficient of the system was highest for wheat + lentil under 2:1 ratio intercropping (5.90). Similarly, water use efficiency (27.6 kg/ha-mm) was highest with wheat + lentil under 2:1 ratio.

Intercropping Lentil with Mukhikachu (Collocasia Esculenta) at Different Planting Systems

The experiment was conducted at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, BARI, Jessore during consecutive two years (2007-08 and 2008-09) to find out the comparative performance of different intercropped lentil with Mukhikachu for getting higher yield and economic return. Five treatments comprised of T1= Sole lentil (30 cm apart continuous seeding), T2 = Sole mukhikachu [(double row) = 20 cm/55/20 cm x 45 cm], T3= Mukhikachu (double row) + 1 row of lentil 30 cm apart (33% seeding ratio) between 2 double row of mukhikachu, T4 = Mukhikachu (double row) + 2 rows of lentil 30 cm apart (66%) between 2 double row of mukhikachu and T5= Mukhikachu (double row) + lentil broadcast (100%). Intercropping systems did not affect the rhizome yield of mukhikachu significantly but affected the seed yield of lentil. Lentil and mukhikachu equivalent yield were the highest (5.87 in 2007-08 and 6.09 t/ha in 2008-09, and 27.24 in 2007-08 and 30.45 t/ha in 2008-09, respectively) in treatment T4. This treatment also gave the highest LER (1.63 in 2007-08 and 1.54 in 2008-09), net return (Tk. 290508 in 2007-08 and Tk. 368900/ha in 2008-09) with BCR of 4.19 in 2007-08 and 4.88 in 2008-09, respectively. It reveals that lentil could be grown easily in double row system of Mukhikachu without hampering yield of Mukhikachu with higher benefit and also enhanced lentil production in the area. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v36i4.11757 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 36(4): 669-676, December 2011

Tillage Effects on Yield and Nitrogen Fixation of Legumes in Mediterranean Conditions

The no‐tillage (NT) technique represents a valuable alternative to conventional tillage (CT) for many crops, but little research has evaluated the effects of its use on the performance of grain legumes, particularly in Mediterranean regions. The present study assessed the effects of NT compared with CT on the grain yield and N2 fixation of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), faba bean (Vicia faba L. variety minor), pea (Pisum sativum L.), and lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.). The experiment was performed under rainfed conditions during four growing seasons. Nitrogen fixation was estimated using the 15N isotope dilution technique. The response of the four species to the tillage system varied significantly by year. The grain yield was significantly higher under NT than under CT only for pea and chickpea, but the differences between the two tillage techniques were consistent only when rainfall was very scarce. The percentage of N fixed differed by species in the order faba bean > chickpea > pea > lentil. The effects of tillage on the N2 fixation process varied significantly by species and year. Nitrogen balance was positive for faba bean and lentil and negative for chickpea and pea, with no differences by tillage. The results indicate that in cereal‐dominated Mediterranean agro‐ecosystems NT can be a valuable option for producing grain legumes, as it can improve productivity, particularly under conditions of deficient soil moisture.

Selection of Rhizobium isolates able to improve productivity of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik)

Nitrogen-fixing efficiency is influenced by genetic combination of rhizobia strain/legume genotype. In this research, 48 rhizobia isolates from lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) were characterized for DNA polymorphism and assayed for their ability to improve, in open field, grain yield of lentil. By DNA polymorphism analysis, only four haplotypes were observed for Rhizobium isolates from lentil seeds, whereas a higher genetic variability was observed for Rhizobium isolates obtained from root-tubercles. The performance of the 11 rhizobia haplotypes was analysed in the field after inoculation on two Italian lentil ecotypes. Two isolates of rhizobia induced a significant improvement of grain yield (plus from 37% to 40% with respect to non-inoculated plants) on the Colfiorito ecotype, whereas no significant improvement of yield was obtained on Colliano.

Integrated use of Rhizobium leguminosarum, Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria and Enriched Compost for Improving Growth, Nodulation and Yield of Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.)

La mantencion de una alta poblacion bacteriana en la rizosfera mejora la eficiencia de estos organismos. Esta poblacion bacteriana puede ser mantenida por la aplicacion de compost enriquecido que mantiene su crecimiento y actividades. Por lo tanto, el uso integrado de Rhizobium, rhizobacterias promotoras de crecimiento vegetal (PGPR) conteniendo 1-aminociclopropano-1-carboxilato desaminasa (ACC-desaminasa) y compost enriquecido con P (PEC) podria ser altamente efectivo en la promocion de crecimiento, nodulacion, y produccion de lenteja (Lens culinaris Medik.). Un estudio de campo se condujo para evaluar el potencial de Rhizobium, PGPR conteniendo ACC-desaminasa y PEC para promover el crecimiento de lenteja. Para este estudio, el tipo de suelo fue franco-arcillo arenoso con pH 7,6; conductividad electrica 2,8 dS m-1; materia organica 0,59%; N total 0,032%; P disponible 7,9 mg kg-1, y K extraible 129 mg kg-1. Los tratamientos se repitieron tres veces, usando diseno de bloques completos al azar. Los resultados mostraron que el uso integrado de R. leguminosarum con Pseudomonas spp. conteniendo ACC-desaminasa junto con PEC fue altamente efectivo y causaron hasta 73.5, 73.9, 74.4, 67.5, 73.3, 65.8, 40.5, y 52.5% de aumento en biomasa fresca, produccion de grano, produccion de paja, vainas planta-1, peso seco de nodulo por planta, peso de 1000 granos, y contenido de N en grano de lenteja, respectivamente, comparado con el respectivo control. Se concluyo que el uso integrado de R. leguminosarum con Pseudomonas spp. portando el rasgo de ACC-desaminasa mas PEC podria ser un apronte efectivo para mejor nodulacion que consecuentemente mejoro produccion de lenteja bajo condiciones naturales.

Effects of woodchip mulch and barley intercropping on weeds in lentil crops

Wang L, Gruber S & Claupein W (2012). Effects of woodchip mulch and barley intercropping on weeds in lentil crops. Weed Research 52, 161–168.SummaryThe effect of woodchip mulch on weed infestation and crop yield of lentil (Lens culinaris) was tested in a 2‐year field experiment at the organic research station Kleinhohenheim, University of Hohenheim, Germany, in 2009 and 2010. The treatments included no mulch and an amount of 160 m3 ha−1 (fresh matter) woodchips (a mixture of hedgerow shrub species) applied both in spring‐sown lentil sole cropping and in lentil–barley mixed cropping systems after the crops were well established. Averaged over the two years, woodchip mulch reduced weed biomass and weed density (plants m−2) in both cropping systems, with a reduction by 43% and 29% (sole), and by 51% and 30% (mixed) respectively. Compared with lentil sole cropping, lentil–barley mixed cropping decreased weed biomass significantly; however, there was no effect on weed density. Lentil grain yield from sole and mixed cropping was 3.0–3.4 t ha−1 and 2.1–2.2 t ha−1 in 2009 and 1.0–1.1 t ha−1 and 0.8–0.9 t ha−1 in 2010. Barley grain yield was 1.4 t ha−1 in 2009 and 0.7 t ha−1 in 2010. Despite decreasing weeds, the mulch did not improve grain yields of lentil or barley in mixed or sole cropping. In conclusion, the combination of woodchip mulch and mixed cropping is useful to reduce weed infestation in cropping systems where chemical or mechanical weed control is not possible and for crops with a low capacity for competition against weeds.

Correlation and Path Coefficient Analyses of Yield and Some Yield Components in Lentil

Correlation and path coefficient analyses are essential tools in selection experiments. They were used to determine direct and indirect relationships between yield and certain plant characters in six exotic genotypes, i.e. two Egyptian families and two Egyptian cultivars of lentil (Lens culinaris). The 10 lentil genotypes were evaluated during two successive seasons (2010/11 and 2011/12) in two locations (Sids and ElMataana Research Stations, ARC). The design used was a randomized complete blocks design (RCBD) with three replications. Combined analysis of variance revealed highly significant effects (p<0.05) for genotypes (G), seasons (Y) and locations (L) for most characters evaluated. Cultivar Giza 9 showed the highest number of pods plant -1 , number of seeds plant -1 and seed yield plant -1 .Highly significant positive correlations were detected between seed yield plant -1 and each of number of pods plant -1 (r = 0.973**) and number of seeds plant -1 (r = 0.971**). However, highly significant negative correlations were observed between seed yield and each of days to 50% flowering (r = - 0.783**) and days to maturity (r = - 0.812**). Path analysis revealed that number of seeds plant -1 , followed by number of pods plant -1 had the highest positive direct effects on seed yield plant -1 (0.617** and 0.162, respectively). Number of seeds plant -1 via number of pods plant -1 gave the highest positive indirect effect on seed yield plant -1 (0.609), These results indicate that number of seeds plant -1 and number of pods plant -1 are the principal yield components, and selection for these traits may be useful in improving seed yield in lentil. Besides, the results revealed that the greatest parts of lentil yield variability were explained by the direct effect of number of seeds plant -1 (34.64%), followed by days to maturity (5.51%) and number of pods plant -1 (2.39%).From the results of correlation coefficients it can be concluded that indirect selection for any character with a significantly positive association with yield would improve the productivity of lentil crop. And that number of seeds plant -1 is the principal yield component, and selection for this trait may be useful in improving seed yield in lentil.

Phenotyping of traits imparting drought tolerance in lentil

Lentil is one of most important pulse crops in South Asia, and invariably encounters terminal moisture stress, leading to forced maturity and lower yield. A long and prolific root system is known to enhance capacity of the plant to extract water from the lower soil strata and thus help avoid the water stress. We assessed genetic variation for 12 traits among 43 lentil genotypes comprising improved varieties and promising breeding lines. The average root length at the 65-day plant stage ranged from 42 to 83 cm. Two genotypes (EC 208362 and VKS 16/11) with shorter root length and poor dry root weight (DRW) and three genotypes (DPL 53, JL 1, and IPL 98/193) with longer root length and high DRW were identified with stable performance over the years. Relationship of root traits with seed yield under rainfed conditions was non-significant in our study. The SPAD value (chlorophyll content) showed significantly positive correlation with DRW (r = 0.45**) and root length (r = 0.44**) and thus can be used as selection criterion for phenotyping root traits which are otherwise difficult to measure in the field. In drought-prone environments, early flowering and maturity, seedling vigour, and high SPAD value, biological yield, and harvest index were identified as key traits for higher seed yield in lentil. Our results revealed significant genetic variability for these traits in lentil germplasm. Indian genotypes adapted to rainfed conditions were shown to have longer roots and higher DRW. The three genotypes (DPL 53, JL 1, and IPL 98/193) identified with superior root traits either originated from or have in their ancestries at least one parent adapted to rainfed conditions. These genotypes can be utilised for the development of mapping populations to identify QTLs associated with these traits for marker-assisted breeding of drought-tolerant, high-yielding varieties of lentil.

Relationship Among and Repeatability of Ten Stability Indices for Grain Yield of Food Lentil Genotypes in Iran

The objective of this research work was to evaluate whether different stability indices of phenotypic stability vary in their repeatability. Lentil yield data of eighteen genotypes, proprietary of Dryland Agricultural Research Institute, evaluated in twelve environments over the 2002-2005 year period in four locations of Iran were used for combined analysis of variance in three datasets. I: Across locations in a single evaluation year (dataset A), II: Across locations in each of two single evaluation year (dataset B) and III: Across all of locations in three years (dataset C). Single year data of yield, of response parameters: coefficient of variation (CVi), Shukla stability variance, deviation mean squares (ER), coefficient of determination (R 2 ), coefficient of regression bi, Wricke ecovalence, and AMMI parameters including: SIPC!, ASV, MASV and D1 were correlated with multi year results. Among different ten stability statistics, only desirability D1 index of Annicchiarico (1997) had highly significant correlation with mean yield. CVi was significant correlated with Shukla variance and Wricke ecovalence, bi, SIPC1 parameter. Shukla variance and Wricke ecovalence indices showed highly significant rank correlation each other and also indicated significant correlated with ER, bi and ASV. Pinthus’s coefficient of determination (R 2 ) showed significant positive correlation with ASV, MASV and bi indices. The ER statistic had positive significant correlations with the mean yield, bi, ASV and MASV stability statistics. SIPC1 parameter indicated positive significant correlation with CVi, Shukla variance, ASV and MASV. D1 Parameter had no significant correlation with ASV and MASV parameters and positive significant correlation with mean yield. Repeatability of three pair years' results (data set C) were highest for bi, R 2 , MASV and D1 parameters where rank correlation coefficients amounted to about 0.70. Repeatability of two pair years' results were highest for yield, SIPC1 and ASV parameters where rank correlation coefficients amounted to about 0.60. The bi, R 2 , MASV and D1 parameters were relatively more repeatable than SIPC1 and ASV parameters in single (dataset A) and 2-year comparisons (dataset B). Although these parameters are indices depended and proportional to yield, provides a superior way to integrate mean performance and stability into a single measure, which can be assessed visually on biplots.

Long‐Term Effects of Soil Fertility Management on Carbon Sequestration in a Rice–Lentil Cropping System of the Indo‐Gangetic Plains

Enrichment of soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks through sequestration of atmospheric CO2 in agricultural soils is important because of its impacts on soil quality, agronomic production, and adaptation to and mitigation of climate change. In a 21‐yr field experiment conducted under subhumid tropical conditions in India, the impacts of crop residue C inputs were assessed for the rice (Oryza sativa L.)–lentil (Lens esculenta Moench) cropping sequence. These impacts were evaluated in an experiment involving mineral fertilizers and manuring treatments on crop yield sustainability with reference to critical biomass requirements for maintenance of SOC in an Inceptisol. Application of farmyard manure (FYM) without and with mineral fertilizers increased C input and SOC concentration and stock. In comparison with the control, the 100% organic (FYM) treatment had significantly higher profile SOC (27.5 Mg ha−1), and more C build up (55.0%) and C sequestration (6.6 Mg C ha−1) to 1‐m depth vis‐à‐vis the antecedent values in 1986. These parameters were also higher in 100% FYM treatment at a rate providing equivalent amount of the recommended dose of N followed by conjunctive use of FYM and mineral fertilizers. The SOC stock and rate of sequestration were positively correlated with cumulative C input, and with sustainable yield index (SYI) of upland rice and lentil. Higher grain yield (1.95 and 1.04 Mg ha−1 of rice and lentil, respectively) was obtained with the application of 50% organic (FYM)+50% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF). In comparison, higher SOC sequestration rate was measured with the application of 100% organic (FYM). For every Mg increase in SOC stock in the root zone there was 0.16 and 0.18 Mg ha−1yr−1 yield increase of rice and lentil, respectively. For maintaining a stable SOC level (zero change due to cropping), a minimum quantity of 2.47 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 is required for this soil, climate, cropping system, and fertilization treatments. To achieve this quantity of C, 7.1 Mg of biomass is required to be produced every year vs. average rice and lentil yields of 1.6 and 0.7 Mg ha−1, respectively. The sole application of mineral fertilizers at 50 or 100% of the RDF did not maintain the SOC stock. Thus, application of FYM (or other organics) in conjunction with mineral fertilizers is essential to maintaining and enhancing the SOC stock in the rice‐based cropping systems.

The Critical Period of Weed Control for Lentil in Western Canada

Weed control in lentil is difficult because lentil is a poor competitor with weeds and few POST broadleaf herbicides are available. Imadazolinone-tolerant lentils have more herbicide options, but the optimum timing for herbicide application is not known. The critical period of weed control (CPWC) is the period in a crop's life cycle when weeds must be controlled in order to prevent yield loss. The objective of this research was to determine the CPWC for lentil. We made lentil remain weedy or weed-free from 0 to 11 aboveground nodes to investigate the durations of weed interference and weed-free period, respectively. It was found that lentil has a CPWC beginning at the five-node stage and continuing to the 10-node stage. There was an inverse relationship between weed biomass and lentil yield; that is, lentil yield was highest when weed biomass is minimal. We propose that the CPWC begins when weeds start to accumulate significant biomass and ends with crop canopy closure. Therefore, to maximize lentil yields, growers should consider using a POST residual herbicide that can control weeds during the CPWC.

Experimental growing of wild pea in Israel and its bearing on Near Eastern plant domestication

The wild progenitors of the Near Eastern legumes have low germination rates mediated by hardseededness. Hence it was argued that cultivation of these wild legumes would probably result in no yield gain. Based on the meagre natural yield of wild lentil and its poor germination, it was suggested that wild Near Eastern grain legumes were unlikely to have been adopted for cultivation unless freely germinating types were available for the incipient farmers. Unlike wild cereals, data from experimental cultivation of wild legumes are lacking. Replicated nurseries of wild pea (Pisum elatius, P. humile and P. fulvum) were sown during 2007-2010 in the Mediterranean district of Israel. To assess the effect of hardseededness on the yield potential, seeds of the wild species were either subjected to scarification (to ensure germination) or left intact, and compared with domesticated controls. Sowing intact wild pea seeds mostly resulted in net yield loss due to poor establishment caused by wild-type low germination rates, while ensuring crop establishment by scarification resulted in net, although modest, yield gain, despite considerable losses due to pod dehiscence. Harvest efficiency of the wild pea plots was significantly higher (2-5 kg seeds h(-1)) compared with foraging efficiency in wild pea populations (ranging from a few grams to 0·6 kg h(-1)). Germination and yield data from 'cultivation' of wild pea suggest that Near Eastern legumes are unlikely to have been domesticated via a protracted process. Put differently, the agronomic implications of the hardseededness of wild legumes are incompatible with a millennia-long scenario of unconscious selection processes leading to 'full' domestication. This is because net yield loss in cultivation attempts is most likely to have resulted in abandonment of the respective species within a short time frame, rather than perpetual unprofitable cultivation for several centuries or millennia.

Comparative effectiveness of Pseudomonas and Serratia sp. containing ACC-deaminase for coinoculation with Rhizobium leguminosarum to improve growth, nodulation, and yield of lentil

Three plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria strains containing ACC-deaminase (Pseudomonas jessenii, Pseudomonas fragi, and Serratia fonticola) and Rhizobium leguminosarum were selected and characterized by conducting some experiments under axenic condition. The selected isolates had the potential to improve the growth of lentil seedlings under axenic conditions. Pot and field experiments were conducted to evaluate the potential of these selected strains for improving growth and yield of lentil under natural conditions. A classical triple response (reduction of stem elongation, swelling of hypocotyle, and change in the direction of growth) bioassay was also conducted to evaluate the effect of high ethylene concentration on the growth of etiolated lentil seedlings, and the performance of coinoculation was evaluated to reduce the classical triple response in comparison with cobalt (Co2+), a chemical inhibitor of ethylene. Results showed that coinoculation of Pseudomonas and Serratia sp. with R. leguminosarum significantly increased the growth and yield of lentil. However, synergistic/coinoculation effect of P. jessenii with R. leguminosarum was more pronounced compared to that with P. fragi and S. fonticola. It increased the number of pods per plant, number of nodules per plant, dry nodule weight, grain yield, and straw yield up to 76%, 196%, 109%, 150%, and 164% under pot and up to 98%, 98%, 100%, 82%, and 78%, respectively, under field conditions as compared to uninoculated control. Similarly, combined inoculation significantly increased N concentration of grains under both pot and field conditions. The results from classical triple response assay showed that the effects of classical triple response decreased due to coinoculation in etiolated lentil seedlings and due to a decrease in the ethylene concentration. It is suggested that the strategy adopted by Pseudomonas sp. containing ACC-deaminase with Rhizobium to promote nodulation and yield by adjusting ethylene levels could be exploited as an effective tool for improving growth, nodulation, and yield of lentil.

Comparative study of the growth parameters of legumes grown in fipronil-stressed soils

In modern agronomy, insecticides of the diverse chemical families are repeatedly used to control various plant growth limiting insect pests and to improve plant productivity. However, the intensive application of these plant protecting agrochemicals results in their accumulation in soils in substantial concentration and deteriorates the soil fertility. Previous studies concerning the effect of insecticides are commonly confined to a specific legume and reports about the concurrent impact of any specific insecticide on more than one legume in parallel are rare. The present study was therefore, designed to assess the effect of insecticide fipronil simultaneously on common food legumes (chickpea, pea, lentil and green gram). In this study, fipronil displayed a varying degree of toxicity to the tested legumes. The highest toxicity of fipronil was observed in the shoot dry biomass, leghaemoglobin and chlorophyll content, and the seed protein in chickpea, nodule numbers and nodule biomass in pea, root dry biomass and shoot N in green gram, and nodule biomass, root N, root P, shoot P, and seed yield in lentil. Generally, the most toxic effect of fipronil was observed on the growth parameters of lentil plants.