It is very hardy and can tolerate frost and severe winter to a great extent. It requires cold temperature during its vegetative growth and warm temperature at the time of maturity.
It can be grown to a altitude of 3000 meters. On the other hand, the seed yield per area decreases when the altitude increases. They are usually grown in semi-arid climates without irrigation. A minimum of 10 inches of annual rainfall is required for lentil production.
Lentil is a well-adapted plant that grows in a wide range of soil types. However, the heavy textured soils cause yield reduction, whereas sandy-loam soils are the most suitable for lentil growth.
Lentil does not tolerate flooded or waterlogged soils, and does best on deep, sandy loam soils high in phosphorus and potassium. Acidic soils are not fit for growing lentil. They can tolerate moderate alkaline or saline conditions and grow in soils with pH of 4.4 to 8.2, but are best adapted to soils with pH of 5.5 to 7.
The soil should be friable and weed free so that seeding could be done at uniform depth. Lentil is adapted to cool growing conditions, and the young plants are tolerant of spring frosts. This allows for early spring planting dates.
Lentils Climate and Soil Requirements
