Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology (Sep 2022)
Lentil Yield Performance and Quality as Affected by Moisture Supply
Abstract
The article presents alternatives for the use of additional components of cultivation technology for lentil that are aimed at increasing tolerance to a water deficiency at the early stages of growth and development, namely: (i) soil amendment with moisture-retaining polymers; (ii) seed treatment with a growth regulator contributing to a better formation of the root system; (iii) the use of biological product providing for the formation of the soil mycorrhizal biota; and (iv) foliar application of micro fertilizers. The best in terms of the effect on the growth and development of plants appeared the following treatments: seed treatment with the growth regulator Kelpak SC (3 l/t), soil amendment with moisture-retaining polymers Aquasorb (200 kg/ha) and mycorrhizal bio preparation Mycofriend (1 l/ha), followed by the treatment of plants with micro fertilizer Reakom-SP-Legumes (3 l/ha, BBCH 14) or Quantum-Legumes (1.0 l/ha, BBCH 14). These treatments contributed to an increase in the number of stems of the 2nd and 3rd orders by 1.8 and 2.0, leaves by 8.6 and 8.8, and nods by 15.3 and 16.1, respectively, compared to the control treatment. In addition, a combination of these plant products had a positive impact on the formation of filled beans, and the plants formed 23.5−23.7 filled beans. Also, these treatments provided 1.6−1.8 times increase in the number of seeds per bean compared to the control. Pre-sowing seed treatment with the growth regulator Kelpak SC (3 l/t), application of moisture-retaining polymers Aquasorb (200 kg/ha) and mycorrhizal bio preparation Mycofriend (1 l/ha), followed by foliar application of fertilizers Reakom SC Legumes (3 l/ha, BBCH 14) or Quantum-Legumes (1.0 l/ha, BBCH 14) contributed to the formation of lentil yield of 3.15 and 3.17 t/ha, respectively, over the years of the experiment. The integral action of these plant products contributed to obtaining seeds with a higher content of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, as well as vitamins, macro and microelements. Moreover, young lentil sprouts can resist adverse environmental factors due to the richer biochemical stocks formed in a seed.
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