Lentils in Saskatchewan

Lentil (Lens culinaris L.) was first grown in southwest Asia about 7,000 B.C. It is best adapted to the cooler temperate zones of the world, or the winter season in Mediterranean climates. Split lentil (dhal) is an important source of dietary protein in the Mediterranean and south Asian regions. Lentil is a very important pulse crop in Western Canada. It is grown to improve economic returns to producers, diversify and lengthen crop rotations and reduce the requirement for nitrogen fertilizer. Lentil, a member of the legume family, Leguminosae, can supply a significant part of its nitrogen requirement by fixing nitrogen from the air when inoculated with the appropriate rhizobial inoculant. Total world lentil production ranged from 2.8 – 4.03 million tonnes from 2000-2007. Major lentil producing countries include India, Canada, Turkey, Syria, Australia, Nepal and the United States (Figure 2). Canada is the leading lentil exporting nation, while India is the leading lentil consuming and producing nation. Commercial production of lentil in Western Canada began in 1970, when approximately 600 hectares (ha) were grown. Production has increased in Saskatchewan to as much as 2.1M ha (5.2 million ac.) in 2016. The 5-year average yield in Saskatchewan is 1,657 kg/ha (1,479 lb./ac.), and the bushel weight of lentil is 60 pounds. The Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s publication Specialty Crop Report contains more statistical information on lentil.