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.
Authors
- Published in
- Canada
