ed red lentils that also handle a quick seasonal finish. PBA Jumbo2 and PBA Jumbo have supersede Aldinga as large-seeded red lentils. PBA Hurricane XT and PBA Herald XT are agronomically similar to Nipper but have improved herbicide tolerance to applied flumetsulan and residuals of some ‘SU’ and ‘imi’ herbicides. See also ‘Residual herbicide and weed control'.
PBA Greenfield and Boomer are medium-sized green lentils with improved seed size, growth and disease resistance over Matilda. Tiara, a long season green lentil with very large seed size, is not widely grown and is only suitable for spring sowing in high rainfall areas. PBA Giant is the only large-sized green lentil variety, which opens up new market opportunities for growers.
The most widely grown red lentil variety was Nugget, but newer releases offer a range of improved and different agronomic, grain size or colour (hence marketing) and disease resistance profiles. Red and green lentils are classified on their seed size and shape (see table below).
Be aware of the necessity to market on a variety basis and ensure that complete variety segregation occurs to avoid variety contamination. Careful planning and management is required to minimise risks of cross-contamination when changing varieties grown. See also ‘Lentil: Variety cross-contamination’.
Red lentil varieties
When choosing a variety, consider the disease risk, seasonal outlook and market forecast. The agronomic traits of the current red lentil varieties are provided below along with yield, diseases resistance and seed availability comparisons. The variety management package (VMP) for each variety provides more detailed information.
PBA Blitz is suited to all current lentil growing areas. It is particularly suited to shorter-season areas where its combination of mid-early flowering, early maturity, high yield, disease resistance and medium to large seed size will improve lentil reliability and economics of production. PBA Blitz is the earliest maturing lentil variety and the best option where croptopping and/or delayed sowing are practiced. PBA Blitz has improved early vigour over all other red lentil varieties and has an erect plant type. It is rated as resistant to foliar, and moderately resistant to seed, AB and moderately resistant to BGM, similar to Nugget and greater than PBA Flash. It is well suited to no-till and inter-row sowing into standing residue. PBA Blitz is a medium-sized red lentil that is larger than PBA Flash and Nugget, with a grey coloured seed coat. PBA Blitz variety management package (VMP)
PBA Bounty has a similar seed size to PBA Hurricane XT, Nipper and Northfield. Although its disease resistance is less than Nipper, PBA Bounty is moderately resistant / moderately susceptible to AB, moderately susceptible to BGM and has improved tolerance to salinity, similar to PBA Bolt and PBA Flash and greater than Nugget. PBA Bounty will be particularly suited to growers who can benefit from the higher prices that potentially exist for a quality small-seeded red lentil, without compromising yield. PBA Bounty produces a round seed that is slightly larger (10%) than PBA Hearld XT and Nipper but still sold into similar markets for splitting or the production of ‘footballs’, where the seed is kept whole after the seed coat is removed. PBA Bounty has a more prostrate plant growth habit early in the season than all other varieties. PBA Bounty variety management package (VMP)
PBA Flash is an early flowering, red lentil with a medium seed size. It is suited to all current lentil growing areas but is particularly suited to shorter season regions. Its higher yields and earlier maturity improves yield reliability, especially in lower yielding situations. Earlier maturation also makes PBA Flash a variety that is well suited to timely croptopping to control weed seed set. It is moderately susceptible to AB, susceptible to BGM and has improved tolerance to boron and salinity compared to Nugget. PBA Flash has improved standing ability at maturity relative to other lentil varieties, which makes for efficient h