Lentil phenology and grain yield response to sowing date – Wagga Wagga 2018

Abstract

Key findings •• An unfavourable growing season in 2018 has shown there are differing optimum sowing dates for different varieties, with late April and mid May sowing producing the highest and similar grain yield overall. •• Significant interaction was found with sowing date and variety for phenological development, grain yield and harvest index. •• Average yield at this site was 1.45 t/ha. •• Sowing date impacted the number of viable pods per plant. Lentils sown mid April had significantly more unfilled pods than lentils sown at all later dates due to an interaction between flowering time and frost damage.