d weeds like medic are not a problem. Rather than waiting for the correct moisture status, many growers sow lentil on a calendar date to ensure that sowing is completed early or to avoid interfering with other operations. Paddock selection is particularly important for dry sowing lentil to be successful.
Choose a seed inoculation method suited to dry soil conditions such as granular inoculants (see more below).
Seed inoculation and treatment
Lentil requires the same rhizobium as field peas (Group E). Inoculation of lentil seed may not be required on some alkaline soils if the paddock has recently grown inoculated and well-nodulated field pea, faba bean or lentil crops. If uncertain about soil types or rotation history and practice, it is best to inoculate and be sure.
Fungal seed dressing can improve seed emergence, especially in wetter conditions. If using inoculum and seed dressing, apply the seed dressing first and then inoculate immediately before seeding. Do not mix inoculants and seed dressing together unless the inoculant label specifies compatibility.
The traditional ‘peat slurry’ method of applying inoculum remains widely used however other methods, such as liquid injection and placing inoculum granules into the seeding row, are also becoming more common practice. Granular forms of inoculum may assist in rhizobial survival, particularly in adverse conditions such as in acid (lower pH) soils or when the crop is sown dry. Given the importance of successful nodulation in lentil on acid soils, growers might consider inoculating the seed in a peat slurry and also using a granular inoculum at seeding. Note that freeze-dried inoculums applied to seed may not provide the same protection to the rhizobia as peat-based inoculums.
See also ‘Pulse inoculation techniques’.
Rolling of the soil surface may be required to protect the crop from residual herbicide damage or to improve harvest efficiency. Rolling is possible from pre-emergent to the 4–5 leaf stage of growth. It is best done with a rubber-tyre roller when soil is moist. Its purpose is to flatten any ridges and clods caused by sowing and to press any rocks or sticks into the soil. Soil that is left ridged from narrow points and press wheels at sowing may not press down to being completely level as the roller will tend to ride on the ridges and put less pressure on the plant rows.
Ideally the resulting flat surface will allow the harvester to operate at near-ground level, picking up the short crop and harvesting pods close to the ground. Having a flat surface reduces harvest losses, harvester wear and contamination in the seed sample.
Rolling may not necessarily flatten all of the standing stubble present. However, after summer or harvest rains, cereal stubble and in particularly barley stubble, tends to be more brittle and does not stand as well after rolling. Some of the lentil crop growth and erectness benefits of standing stubble may therefore be lost. Use of some disc drills in standing stubble may eliminate the need to roll lentil crops.
If the soil is prone to hardsetting or crusting, is sandy or on sloping country prone to erosion, rolling may have to be delayed until the crop has emerged. The safest time to roll lentil post-emergent is when the plants are at the 3–5 leaf stage. Avoid rolling lentil plants that are just starting to emerge because the emerging shoots can be broken off. Roll post-emergent lentil crops under warmer conditions when the plants are limp, and not brittle from cold or frosty conditions. Crop damage is minimised if rolling is done in the afternoon or on the morning of a warmer day. Avoid rolling two weeks before or after applying a post-emergent herbicide. Rolling a crop affected by leaf disease may increase the spread of disease within the crop.
A well-nodulated lentil crop should be self-sufficient for nitrogen (See also ‘Pulse inoculation techniques’), however rates of 5–10 kg/ha of ‘starter’ nitrogen may be useful on slightly acid or infertile soils.
Phosphorus removal is about 4.2 kg per tonne of grain. An application of 50 kg of 