Lentils should be self-sufficient for nitrogen if well nodulated. Rates of 10-20 kg/ha of starter nitrogen may be useful on lighter and slightly acid soils.

Phosphorus removal is about 4 kg/tonne of grain. A replacement application of 6 kg/tonne of grain is needed to maintain available P levels. More is required on soils such as calcareous soils with a higher buffering index.

The grain legume type fertilisers are formulated to supply sulphur needs of pulse crops. Paddocks with a history of single super or gypsum applications may have adequate sulphur.

Use tissue testing kits to monitor availability of trace elements. Zinc is required for lentils on alkaline soils. It should be applied to the soil every 2-7 years depending on soil type. Manganese is sometimes required for lentils on highly alkaline soils or under fluffy soil conditions. Foliar applications of iron are sometimes required for lentils grown on highly alkaline soils, wet soils. Lentils may respond to molybdenum in soils that are deficient.

Healthy crop.

As for other crops, lentils need an adequate supply of both the major and minor nutrients for growth and to maximise yield. When grain is harvested from the paddock, nutrients are removed in the grain in the following amounts.

The main deficiencies encountered in lentils are of: