EARLY sowing, stubble retention and targeted management could be the keys to successfully growing lentils.
These were among the messages at a recent pulse field day near Horsham in Victoria.
Wayne Hawthorne, from Pulse Australia, said researchers were investigating the best management practices for different pulse varieties.
These included comparisons of no-till inter-row sowing into standing stubble in 30-60cm rows. with conventional sowing into narrower rows and slashed stubble.
Mr Hawthorne said there was also support for research into making optimum use of limited moisture by looking at sowing date, row spacings, seeding rates, stubble retention and variety.
He said earlier sowing and stubble retention were showing promise in low-rainfall seasons.
"There is now a need to expand research from lentils and chick peas into faba beans and peas to assess new systems under higher yielding conditions," Mr Hawthorne said.
He said growers could also look forward to the release of the first shorter-season lentil varieties in coming years.
