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Calibration & Spraying Before Chickpea and Lentil Planting

Calibration & Spraying Before Chickpea and Lentil Planting

📅 Nov 2025 Read Time: 5 min #chickpeas

Chickpeas: In legumes like chickpeas and lentils, pre-planting seed calibration, fungal disease control, and row spacing adjustments directly impact emergence. Proper preparation can increase yields by 20–40%, especially in arid regions.

“Tip: Calibrated seed ensures even seeding and speeds up emergence.”

1) The Importance of Seed Calibration

Calibration ensures:

  1. Grain size is equalized,
  2. The planter lays uniform seed,
  3. Emergence is homogeneous,
  4. Waste in fertilizer and pesticide use is prevented.

For chickpeas: Larger grains over 8–10 mm should be preferred.

For lentils: Sieving + density separation yields optimal results.

2) Seed Treatment and Its Benefits

Legumes are particularly susceptible to fungal diseases such as Ascochyta (anthracnose).

Seed treatment:

  1. Prevents disease transmission,
  2. Reduces post-emergence plant loss,
  3. Encourages root development.

Metalaxyl-M, azoxystrobin, or thiram-containing pesticides are commonly used.

Application: Care should be taken to completely cover the seed surface.

3) Soil Preparation and Planting Depth

Correct planting depth is critical for chickpeas and lentils:

  1. Chickpeas: 5–7 cm
  2. Lentils: 3–5 cm
  3. Planting too deep → delayed emergence and loss of germination
  4. Shallow planting → poor root anchorage

Planting should be done when the soil is slightly moist.

4) Row Spacing and Across-Row Adjustments

Proper row spacing after calibration provides the following benefits:

  1. Increases sunlight,
  2. Reduces weed pressure,
  3. Improves air circulation.

Chickpeas:

  1. Row Spacing: 25–35 cm
  2. Across-Row Spacing: 6–10 cm

Lentils:

  1. Row Spacing: 15–20 cm
  2. Across-Row Spacing: 3–6 cm

5) Fertilization and Micronutrient Supplementation

Although legumes have nitrogen-fixing capabilities, initially:

  1. Phosphorus application enhances root development.
  2. Molybdenum supplementation promotes nodule formation.
  3. If organic matter is low, zinc can be applied.

6) Disease Management

Even if pre-planting preparation is done correctly:

  1. Soil-borne fungal pathogens and
  2. Seedling blight due to cold and heat stress can occur.

Therefore:

  1. Seed treatment is highly recommended.
  2. If necessary, early post-emergence protective treatments can be applied.
  3. Crop rotation is the most effective cultural measure for legumes.
“Note: Complete surface coverage during seed treatment is the most critical step in reducing fungal contamination.”
Farmer