Lens culinaris, the lentils plant, has many different names. The
term "lentil" is a direct reference to the word "lens",
which not only references its botanical name but its shape. The legumes
resemble small lenses.
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| A Lentil Harvest |
Lentil crops are annually grown and belong
to the Fabaceae plant family. The pods contain edible seeds, each pod producing
at least two seeds that can be split if desired. The vine itself is quite
slender with hairy, erect, branching stems.
In Kenya it is popularly known as kamande,
best grown in hot areas with sandy loamy soils that drain water fast. Due to
its tolerance to drought conditions, areas of Ukambani, Garissa, Wajir, Siaya,
Kisumu, Narok South, Kajiado and the entire coastal region would be ideal.
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Economic Value
Lentils are a valuable human food, mostly consumed as dry seeds.
In India it is mostly consumed as ‘Dal’ by removal of outer skin and separation
of cotyledons, snacks and soup preparation et cetere. It is easy to cook and
easily digestible with high biological value, hence also referred to patients.
Dry leaves, stems, empty and broken pods are used as valuable cattle feed. Bold
seeded, attractive shaped grains have high demand for export at premium prices.
Lentil Varieties
- Red Chief: This is a popular variety
that is known for its high yields and drought tolerance. It matures in about
90-110 days and can produce up to 2000 kilograms per acre. It is a medium-sized
lentil with a red-brown color. It is resistant to a number of diseases,
including fusarium wilt and ascochyta blight.
- Richlea: This variety is also known for its
high yields and is resistant to diseases such as fusarium wilt. It matures in about
100-120 days and can produce up to 1800 kilograms per acre. It is a large-sized
lentil with a yellow-brown color. It is also resistant to ascochyta blight.
- Laird: This variety is a good choice for
areas with high rainfall. It matures in about 120-130 days and can produce up
to 1600 kilograms per acre. It is a medium-sized lentil with a green color. It
is resistant to a number of diseases, including downy mildew and phoma pod rot.
- Eston: This variety is a good choice for
areas with low rainfall. It matures in about 90-100 days and can produce up to
1500 kilograms per acre. It is a small-sized lentil with a brown color. It is
resistant to a number of diseases, including ascochyta blight and anthracnose.
- Green lentils: These lentils are known
for their nutty flavor and firm texture. They mature in about 120-130 days and
can produce up to 1400 kilograms per acre. They are a small-sized lentil with a
green color. They are not as resistant to diseases as some of the other
varieties, but they are still a good choice for home gardens.
Soils
Overall, lentils adapt to all soil types but the
key is good drainage. Plants prefer sandy loamy soils that are well-drained and
fertile.
A pH of 6.0 and 6.5 is best, though the plants will grow in a soil pH up to 8.0. Avoid saline, boron or sodic soils, which may limit root growth and the plant's ability to receive moisture.
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Water Requirement
After planting, water well without flooding. Give plants about 1 inch of water per week. At least 10 inches of annual rainfall is needed. If weather conditions become dry, know that the lentil crop is drought tolerant and they can die if the water becomes water logged.
Altitude
Lentils
are well-suited for cultivation at altitudes ranging from 1,200 meters to 2,500
meters above sea level. Higher altitudes provide cooler temperatures, which are
favorable for lentil growth.
Sunlight
Lentils require plenty of sunlight for optimal growth. They are considered photoperiod neutral, meaning they do not have specific day-length requirements for flowering. However, lentils thrive well in areas where the weather is cool with limited rainfall such as Siaya, Kisumu, Narok South, Kajiado. Ideal temperatures are around 25 to 35 degrees celcius.
Fertilizer Application
If your soil is naturally clumpy, add
compost to loosen it. Direct contact with fertilizer may shock the seeds. Instead,
inoculate seeds with Rhizobium leguminosarum; this will give the plants the
nitrogen they need for ideal growth and health.
Dig a long trench on the side of each row
of young plants when they are about five inches tall. Pour in compost tea and
repeat when the plants start to flower.
Establishment
Choose a
well-drained field with suitable soil conditions (sandy loam to loam) and
proper sunlight exposure for lentil cultivation. Clear the field of weeds,
debris, and rocks to create a clean planting area. Prepare the soil by plowing,
harrowing, and leveling to create a smooth and even seedbed.
Seed Selection and Treatment
Select
high-quality lentil seeds from reputable sources. Choose certified and
disease-free seeds of a suitable lentil variety for your region. Treat seeds,
if necessary, with appropriate methods such as priming, coating, inoculation
with beneficial microorganisms, or fungicide treatment.
Planting
Use proper
planting equipment, such as a seed drill or planter, to achieve consistent row
spacing and seed depth. Set the planting depth on the equipment to about 2 to 4
cm. Plant lentil seeds in rows with the determined row spacing of 30 to 40 cm
and within-row spacing of 5 to 10 cm and ensure uniform seed placement
Watering
Water the
planting area before and after planting to ensure adequate moisture for
germination. Monitor soil moisture levels regularly and provide supplementary
irrigation as needed, especially during the early growth stages.
Mulching
Apply a layer
of organic mulch, such as straw or leaves, around the seedlings to retain soil
moisture, suppress weeds, and protect emerging plants.
Thinning
If seedlings
are too close together, thin out once they have grown a few inches tall and maintain
the desired spacing between plants.
Care and Monitoring
Monitor the
lentil seedlings for pests, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies. Take
appropriate measures to address any issues arising and keep the area weed-free
to reduce competition for resources and promote healthy lentil growth.
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| A lentil farming field |
Common Pests and Diseases
Pests
Pests are minimal too but can be susceptible to various pests such
as aphids, thrips, and pod borers, leaf miners, cut worms, whiteflies and
wiremorms. It is very rare for lentils to attract Lygus bugs, aphids,
maggots, wireworms and thrips. If found, just hose or pinch them.
Diseases
Because lentil plants thrive in low humidity, they usually do not
attract many diseases. Occasionally ascochyta blight, white mould, rust,
powdery mildew, anthracnose, fusarium wilt or root rot may occur as a symptom
of rotating lentils with the wrong crops.
In addition to wheat, corn is another good
option for crop rotation. Rotate every three or four years. Avoid fava bean,
field bean, field pea, mustard, canola, rapeseed, soybean, sunflower, sugar
beet, and potato because they are susceptible to the same diseases.
Management of pests and Diseases
- Rotate lentils with non-host crops to disrupt pest and disease cycles.
- Choose disease-resistant lentil varieties when available.
- Remove and destroy infected plant debris to prevent disease spread.
- Implement a combination of cultural, biological, and chemical control methods.
- Use proper plant spacing and avoid over-crowding to reduce disease incidence.
- Planting at the right time can help avoid peak pest and disease pressure.
- Keep the field weed-free to reduce pest and disease habitat.
- Regularly scout for pests and diseases to catch problems early.
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| Sprouted Lentils |
Harvesting Lentils
Collect green pods within 70 to 80 days of
planting to eat them like snap beans. When lentils are used as a dry grain, the
seed is called a pulse. Harvest lentils when the lower pods are brown.
Hit a seed with a hammer and if it cracks,
then it's ready to be harvested. If it mashes, let it dry on the plant longer.
Yield
The average
lentil yield per acre varies depending on the variety, the growing conditions,
and the management practices used. However, the average yield for lentils in
Kenya is around 800-1500 kilograms per acre.
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| Matured Lentil Crop |
Market Outlook
In the market,
one kilogram of kamande costs between Sh200 – Sh350 depending on the market
supply and demand.
- Seedlings per acre – 12-15 kg seeds per acre
- Spacing – 30cm for rows, 3-4 cm depth
- Market price – Ksh. 200-350
- Yield- 800-1500 kg per acre
- Common pests- aphids, thrips, and pod borers, leaf miners, cut worms, whiteflies and wire worms.
- Common diseases – ascochyta blight, white mould, rust, powdery mildew, anthracnose, fusarium wilt or root rot
- Lifespan- 90-120 days from planting to maturity
Frequently Asked Questions
- How profitable is lentil farming in Kenya?
- How long do lentils take to mature?
- How much is 1kg of lentils in Kenya?
- How to grow lentils in Kenya?
- What are the common pests and diseases affecting lentil farming?
- What are the lentil farming water requirements?
- Do we have lentil varieties?
- What is the yield per acre for lentils?
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