An ancient food crop, the lentil has been cultivated for over 8000 years as a high energy and high protein food. Most of the US production is grown in the Palouse region of Washington and Idaho, where an established industry exists. Lentil is classed as a grain legume or pulse. A cool season crop, lentil continues to flower until stressed by high temperatures, drought, or nitrogen deficiency. Following stress, pods and seed mature.
Lentil is adapted to all soil types, provided drainage is adequate.
A near-neutral pH is preferred. If properly inoculated, lentil requires little to no nitrogen fertilizer. For optimum yields, available phosphorus needs to be in the 50 pound per acre range and potassium in the 200 pound range. Adequate levels of sulfur and molybdenum are also important. Drilling is preferred to broadcast seeding to obtain good stands.