How to Harvest Lentils: Essential Techniques, Tips, and Benefits
How to Harvest Lentils?
To harvest lentils, it is important to wait until the bottom third of the pods turns yellow to brown and rattles when shaken.
Swathing can help speed up drying and prevent shattering.
Lentils should be cut close to the ground with a suggested angle of 20° to 30° for the cutter bar.
Swather modifications like pick-up reels and vine lifters can prevent soil from mixing with the seeds.
Chemical desiccation using desiccants such as Reglone®, Heat®, and Good Harvest® can reduce the time from maturity to threshing readiness and improve quality.
Glyphosate can also be used as a harvest aid.
Lentils can be straight combined when both seeds and pods are fully mature.
Proper threshing equipment with specific features is recommended for successful combining.
It is preferable to thresh at around 18% moisture and use aeration to dry the sample to 14% for green varieties and 13% for red varieties for safe storage.
It is important to minimize seed damage during threshing and separation, and lentil seed with high moisture should be cleaned promptly to prevent heating.
Lentils should be stored in dry, dark conditions, and different year’s seed should not be mixed.
Additionally, lentil seed is vulnerable to damage in temperatures below -20°C, so gentle handling and the use of belt conveyors instead of steel flighting augers during transportation can minimize damage.
Key Points:
- Harvest lentils when bottom third of pods turns yellow to brown and rattles when shaken.
- Swathing can speed up drying and prevent shattering.
- Cut lentils close to the ground at a suggested angle of 20° to 30° for cutter bar.
- Use swather modifications like pick-up reels and vine lifters to prevent soil from mixing with seeds.
- Chemical desiccation with desiccants or glyphosate can reduce time to threshing readiness and improve quality.
- Lentils can be straight combined when seeds and pods are fully mature.
Did You Know?
1. Did you know that lentils date back to ancient times, with evidence of their cultivation found in the Middle East dating back to 8000 BCE? These small legumes have been a staple in the human diet for thousands of years!
2. Lentils come in various colors, including brown, green, red, and black. However, a lesser-known fact is that the red variety tends to cook faster compared to other types, making it a popular choice for quick and easy meals.
3. When harvesting lentils, it’s interesting to note that these plants are typically not completely dried out in the field. Instead, they are often harvested when they are still slightly green, then further dried after being collected to reduce the moisture content.
4. Although commonly used as a food crop, lentils also have other surprising uses. Some farmers incorporate lentils into their crop rotation system as a “nitrogen-fixing” crop, helping to enrich the soil with nitrogen for future crops.
5. Lentils are not only beneficial for humans but also for the planet! As an environmentally friendly alternative to meat, lentils require significantly less water and produce lower greenhouse gas emissions during cultivation. So, incorporating lentils into your diet can be a sustainable choice!
Introduction: “How to Harvest Lentils”
Lentils, with their numerous health benefits and versatility in cooking, have become a staple food in many households. Harvesting lentils is a crucial step in the cultivation process that requires careful attention to ensure optimal quality and yield.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of harvesting lentils and provide essential techniques, tips, and benefits along the way. From identifying the right time for harvesting to proper storage and handling, this article will equip you with the knowledge needed to harvest lentils successfully.
Identifying Maturity: Determining When Lentils Are Ready For Harvest
Before delving into the techniques of harvesting lentils, it is crucial to master the art of identifying when the lentils are at their optimal stage of maturity. One reliable indicator of lentil maturity is when the lower third of the pods transitions from green to a yellow-brown color and produces a rattling sound when shaken. This color change signifies that the lentils have reached their peak flavor and nutritional value, making it the ideal time to begin the harvesting process. Careful observation and regular monitoring will help farmers determine the exact moment when their lentils are ready to be harvested, ensuring the best possible quality.
- Key points:
- Identify optimal stage of maturity.
- Lower third of pods turns yellow-brown and rattles when shaken.
- Color change indicates peak flavor and nutritional value.
- Careful observation and monitoring is essential for determining harvest readiness.
Techniques For Faster Drying And Preventing Shattering
Swift drying and preventing shattering are essential considerations during the lentil harvesting process. To hasten drying and minimize the risk of shattering, a technique known as swathing is often employed.
Swathing involves cutting the lentils close to the ground at an angle of 20° to 30°, as suggested for the cutter bar. This method can be enhanced further by using swather modifications, such as pick-up reels and vine lifters, to prevent soil from mixing with the seeds.
These modifications help in maintaining the purity and integrity of the lentil crop during the harvesting process.
Desiccation Methods: Chemical And Non-Chemical Options For Preparing Lentils For Threshing
In cases where expedited drying and improved quality are desired, desiccation methods can be employed. Using desiccants like Reglone® (diquat), Heat® (saflufenacil), and Good Harvest® (glufosinate ammonia) as chemical options can reduce the time between maturity and threshing readiness. However, it is essential to harvest lentils promptly to avoid exposure to wet weather. Glyphosate, although not a desiccant, can also be used as a harvest aid and is registered for controlling perennial weeds in lentils. Non-chemical options for preparing lentils for threshing include adhering to proper drying and moisture level guidelines.
Threshing And Combining Lentils: Equipment And Recommended Moisture Levels
Threshing and combining lentils require specialized equipment and precision to minimize seed damage. It is ideal to combine lentils when the seeds and pods are fully mature. Threshing equipment with specific features is recommended for successful combining, ensuring a high-quality yield. Moisture levels also play a vital role in the threshing process. Threshing at around 18% moisture and using aeration to dry the sample to 14% for green varieties and 13% for red varieties is preferred to ensure safe storage. For the red lentil splitting industry, a moisture content below 13% is advantageous to improve efficiency.
Proper Storage And Handling: Tips To Maintain Lentil Quality And Minimize Damage
Once lentils have been successfully harvested and threshed, proper storage and handling techniques are crucial to maintaining their quality and preventing damage. Lentils should be stored in dry and dark conditions to avoid moisture absorption and exposure to direct sunlight. Mixing seed from different years should be avoided, as older seed can compromise the overall quality of the sample. For green lentils, it is advisable not to store them through a second summer season to prevent excessive discoloration and downgrading. Additionally, lentils should be carefully handled during transportation, ensuring gentle handling and the use of appropriate equipment to minimize the risk of damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are lentils produced?
Lentils are produced through a fascinating process. The lentil plants first grow to a height of around 24 inches, and as they mature, pods start to develop and attach themselves to the plant. Within these pods, one to three lentils are formed. These lentils continue to grow until they reach their dry form, which usually happens in mid-August. At this stage, the lentils are ready for harvest, and they are carefully collected to ensure their quality and taste are preserved. The process of lentil production involves nurturing the plants until their pods are filled with the mature lentils, and then harvesting them at the optimal time for peak flavor and texture.
How do you know when lentils are ready to pick?
To determine when lentils are ready to pick, it is essential to observe the color and sound of the pods. Lentils are considered ripe and mature when the bottom third of the pods transition from yellow to brown, indicating their readiness for harvesting. Moreover, a key indicator is when the pods rattle when shaken, signifying that the lentils have reached their peak stage for swathing, desiccation, or pre-harvest herbicide application. With careful monitoring and assessment, farmers can ensure that their lentils are picked at the optimal time for the best quality yield.
In which month red lentil are harvested?
Red lentils are typically harvested in the months of July or August. It is crucial to wait until these months to ensure optimal drying conditions. If harvested during wet or rainy weather, the lentils may not dry out properly, affecting their quality. Hence, timing the harvest during the dry months is essential to obtain high-quality red lentils.
Are lentils a seed?
Yes, lentils are indeed seeds. Lentils are small, edible seeds that come from the lentil plant, a member of the pea family. These seeds are widely cultivated in Europe, Asia, and North Africa. They are commonly used in soups and stews, and their herbage serves as fodder in certain regions. While lentils are not extensively grown in the Western Hemisphere, they are a nutritious and versatile food source globally.