Masoor

Lentil is the second major winter season food legume after chickpea in Pakistan. It is mainly grown in all the provinces but the two-third area is in Punjab. The area as well as its production has been decreased gradually (almost to 40% mainly due to shift of main lentil area to other crops, weed and disease problems, and non-availability of certified and quality seed of improved varieties). So far, only 9 varieties have been released for use of farmers. Masoor-93 has wider adaptability with high yield potential (3.843 tons/ha) than others. Shiraz-96 is suitable for cold and dry areas of Baluchistan. Presently, about 18 research units or institutes are involved in lentil research and development. The lentil hybridization program is going on at three research institutes. Lentil blight, rust and pea seed-borne mosaic are serious diseases. Weed control, application of basal dose of nitrogen with Rhizobium inoculation, phosphorus, zinc, and optimum seed rate are proved to be highly economical inputs for maximizing lentil production.

For enhancement of lentil production in the Spate areas, two approaches are suggested:

• development of improved high yielding, disease resistant, black-spotted, herbicide resistant microsperma varieties suitable for marginal areas under drought conditions; and
• Bringing more areas under lentil cultivation in Spate irrigated areas (Figure 4). At present, 11 candidate lines of lentil developed by NARC are in national yield testing program.

Production Technology:

Seedbed Preparation

For the cultivation of lentils, light to medium textured soils with low levels of fertility is appropriate. Fine textured soils are not desirable for its production. In Spate irrigated areas, farmers can initiate seedbed preparation, once the ponded water is infiltrated in the soil. Once the soil is in a condition to till, cultivator or harrow can be used and later on planking be done to conserve moisture. In light textured soils, only one ploughing is adequate to remove weeds, otherwise in sandy soils ploughing may not be needed and direct seeding of lentils can be made.

Planting of Lentils

In Spate irrigated areas soil fertility is relatively high due to inflow of sediments with the floodwater. Due to the higher availability of nutrients the planting time of lentil may be delayed so that vegetative growth is not excessive. The planting must be done in line using seed drill. Line sowing helps to have better yield. The recommended planting dates are middle of October to middle of November for Punjab and Sindh provinces, whereas for NWFP and Baluchistan the recommended planting period is the month of October. If lentil is planted early then the excessive vegetative growth can reduce the yield, whereas late plantings are more liable to insects and pests.

Fertilizer Requirement

Lentil is a legume. It has nodulation capability which can fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, if seed is inoculated with bio-fertilizer using inoculants developed for nodulation.
High and effective nodulation on the roots of the lentils is an important agronomic factor for enhanced productivity and fixation of atmospheric nitrogen into the soil. The genotypes are now available with high nodulation capacity and consequently with higher yields. Fertilization dose of 60 kg/ha of phosphorous is recommended. Nitrogen is not recommended otherwise vegetative growth will affect the productivity.

Irrigation

In Spate irrigated areas pre-planting irrigation is essential. Irrigation at the flowering stage is adequate. In case of adequate rainfall this irrigation may not be needed. Lentil is drought tolerant crop and thus suited well for light to medium textured soils.

Weed Control

Weed control is essential to have higher productivity. Deep plouging of field before seedbed preparation. Inter-culture after 40-45 days since planting of lentils; and Application of Tribunil herbicide at the rate of 2.0 kg/ha and dissolving it in 375 to 500 liters of water, which is sufficient for one ha. The chemical application provides an effective control of weeds if applied after the planting of crop.

Variety

The lentil is of two types, the normal small size and bold (Malka Masoor).

Diseases of Lentils

The common diseases of lentils and their control are presented as under:

Rust is a common disease of lentils. This disease occurs after flowering, where yellow spots are observed on the leaves, which later on changes to brown and ultimately black circles. Sometime similar spots occur on pods and stems.

The Rust can be controlled by:

• Adopting disease resistant varieties;
• Destroy and safely dispose the affected plants;
• Use disease free seed; and
• Planting at right time because delayed planting is susceptible to disease infestations.

Blight is another disease of lentil, which normally appears in high rainfall areas and thus it is normally not witnessed in Spate irrigated areas except in extremely wet years. In this disease the stems, leaves and pods are having brown or black spots.

Blight can be controlled by:

• use of healthy seed and treating it before planting with Benlate at the rate of 3 gms per kg of seed;
• after the harvest destroy safely the affected plants; and
• Following crop rotation.

Stem Rot

is another common disease and it affects the stem and then plant dry. White fungus is witnessed on the affected parts of the plant. The control is only through crop rotation by avoiding continued plantation of lentils in the same field.
Root Rot is another common disease which is caused by fungus and it affects the root and then roots breaks down in to pieces and ultimately root is dead. It can be effectively controlled by adopting crop rotation.

Health Benefits of Masoor dal (Lentils)

• Lentils are extremely rich in soluble fiber, which forms a gel-like substance in the digestive tract, thereby helping in removing bile from the body. It further helps in eliminating and reducing blood cholesterol levels.
• The higher fiber content of lentils helps in increasing the size of stool; hence, speeding the journey of waste products through the gut. In short, lentils are useful for alleviating constipation. The fiber content also reduces the risk and the symptoms of diverticulosis, a condition in which small pouches form in the colon wall.
• The soluble fiber in lentils has the property of trapping carbohydrates. It slows down the digestion and absorption process, hence preventing major changes in blood sugar level throughout the day. This helps diabetic patients.
• The insoluble fiber in lentils leads to the feeling of early satiation; hence, people eat less and gain fewer pounds. Besides, insoluble fiber is indigestible, which passes through the body adding just a few calories.
• Lentils are rich in flavones, a class of antioxidants with antioxidant properties. Studies have proved that regular consumption of lentils can reduce the risk of breast cancer.
• Lentils prove to be significant for a healthy heart as they prevent heart coronary problems. Fiber in the lentils reduces blood cholesterol levels and plaque forming on the walls of the arteries, thereby eliminating the risk of stroke or other cardiovascular diseases.
• Apart from providing low burning complex carbohydrates, lentils increase energy levels by replenishing iron stores. This is particularly very important for menstruating women, who are at a higher risk of iron deficiency.
• Besides fiber which contributes to the health of the cardiovascular system, lentils contain folic acid and magnesium, significant for reducing the level of homocysteine, a compound known to be dangerous for the heart and artery walls. Also, lentils promote better blood flow and passage of oxygen and nutrients to the organs.
• Rich in the antioxidant, molybdenum, lentils assist the body in breaking down harmful substances hence reducing allergy symptoms. This antioxidant is also essential for preventing impotency, particularly in older men, and avoiding anemia.
• Researches indicate that the vitamin E found in lentils helps prevent the risk of Parkinson’s disease, though the exact connection is not yet determined.