Legumes & Pulses· Lens culinaris
Lentil Growing Guide
Nutritious pulse crop high in protein and fiber. Excellent for dryland farming.
How Long Does Lentil Take to Grow?
Lentil is typically ready to harvest about 100 days after planting.
FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Production: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 13 October 2026. https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL Licence: CC-BY-4.0.
Growing Conditions
Soil Requirements
Soil Type & pH
Best soil types: loam, sandy loam
pH range: 5.5 - 7.5 (optimal: 6.5)
Drainage: good
Planting Guide
Yield & Economics
Growing Tips
Excellent rotation crop after cereals
Inoculate with rhizobium for N-fixation
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Lentil take to grow?
Lentil typically takes 100 days from planting to harvest. Seeds germinate in about 10 days. The best planting season is spring.
What soil does Lentil need?
Lentil grows best in loam, sandy loam soil with a pH of 5.5-7.5. Good drainage is required.
What temperature does Lentil need?
Lentil grows best at 15-25°C. Frost tolerance: light.
What is the expected yield for Lentil?
Across 47 countries with grounded data, reported national yields for Lentil range from 220 to 2,570 kg/hectare, with a median of 1,010. These are national statistics, not a best-case figure — an individual farm's yield depends on variety, climate, soil and management.
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Where Is Lentil Grown?
Explore region-specific growing conditions, challenges, and practices.
Key Agronomy Terms
Core farming concepts, explained in plain language.
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