How lentils grow: description of varieties, cultivation technology, yield, shelf life, photo

Growing lentils

Now it is hard to believe that Russia was once the leader in the cultivation of lentils and the main exporter to overseas countries. In the 19th century, lentils were considered one of the staple foods. On its basis, nutritious first and second courses were prepared, bread was baked and even used in treatment.

Now lentils on an industrial scale are almost never grown in our country, because the beans on the plant do not ripen at the same time and manual labor is most often used to collect them.

Description of culture

Lentils are an annual herb that grows up to sixty centimeters tall. The bush is not large in size. Its stems are tetrahedral and reddish in color. They are erect or lodging, depending on the variety. The stems are covered with hairs of small size and medium hardness along the entire length.

Lentils have complex leaves with a pair-pinned structure. The petiole at the base has a tendril, which is branched or simple. The size and shape of stipules in different varieties of lentils differ. Short stalks have one or more small flowers, shaped like moths. Most often, the petals are white, but they are blue-blue or violet-blue.

The growing season varies depending on the variety, weather conditions and soil. Its duration can be from two and a half months to four. Until the flowering period begins, which falls on the end of May - beginning of June, it grows slowly. When the first flowers appear (six weeks after germination), the growth and branching of the bush is accelerated.

Plant propagation

The cultivation technology provides for the use of seeds with a germination rate of at least 85%. Pre-propagation is carried out if there are less than 1000 seeds in the sample, the percentage of germination decreases or there is a desire to breed a new variety, and there is not enough planting material for full-scale sowing.

The minimum number of seeds required for reproduction is 800. They are sown in 4 rows with a length of 4 m and a row spacing of 45 cm.The distance between plots with different varieties should be at least 90 cm.In this case, sowing is carried out in holes, the distance between which is at least 3 cm.

Lentils are self-pollinated plants, but when seeds multiply during flowering, the flower can also be pollinated by insects, which will significantly increase the yield and seed yield. The flowers are examined for compliance with the phenotypic characteristics of the variety.

Before harvesting, growing bushes are dried with the help of special substances - desiccants for uniform ripening. Harvesting in small areas is best done by hand.

Characteristics of the fetus

This is a bean that ripens in one nest with two valves. It is elongated, diamond-shaped and prone to cracking when overripe. There are few fruits, from one to three pieces. They have a rounded or flattened shape and are small in size, up to two centimeters in length.

Fruits are yellow, red, green, pink, brown, gray, black, marbled dotted or spotted.

Lentils: growing in the country

As mentioned above, lentils are a fairly unpretentious plant. This makes it easy to grow.However, there are some cultural specifics worth knowing. So, she loves loose loamy or sandy loam soils. Of course, you can plant lentils on heavy soils - it will grow and bear fruit, but you should not expect a good harvest in such conditions. In addition, this culture does not tolerate acidified soils. Therefore, if you have such a land on your site, then the first thing to do is to adjust its acidity. There are quite a few ways to do this. One option is to use lime.

It is recommended to plant lentils in an open, sunny place. In the shade, it can also grow, but again, in such conditions, one should not hope for a good harvest. The culture will feel good in the place where potatoes, corn or winter crops grew last season. If you have already found a planting site, then it is recommended to apply a certain amount of fertilizer before planting the crop. So, for each square. meter will be required for 55-65 gr. potash and phosphorus dressings. The best time to fertilize is mid-spring or fall.

It is best to start sowing in early spring, when the snow melts and the soil warms up slightly. Seeds should be soaked for 24 hours before sowing to increase future yields. Usually soaked in a solution consisting of 100 ml of water and 2 drops of epin. Before planting, the seeds must be dried. Then they sit in holes with a depth of at least 40 mm. In this case, there must be at least 120 mm between adjacent grooves. After that, the holes are dug in and carefully tamped.

After about 14 days, the planted seeds will begin to germinate en masse. At this time, it will be necessary to weed between the rows so that the weeds do not interfere with the growth of the lentils. This work should preferably be done at noon. It should be noted that the first month and a half, the culture grows rather slowly. This is mainly due to the fact that during this period the seedlings are gaining strength for flowering. When the flowering time has passed, the growth of the stems of the lentils is significantly accelerated. During this period, the culture becomes a branched shrub. The crop is usually harvested in late summer or early autumn. It should be borne in mind that lentils ripen unevenly. First, the beans ripen on the lower parts of the bush, and then after a while the fruits appear on the upper branches.

Lentils in Russia

In our country, this culture was known for a long time, five hundred years ago. In those distant times, the cultivation of lentils in Russia was carried out on the Russian Plain. As a grain crop, it was of high value. Where do lentils grow in Russia? In the last century, the place of its growth in our country was the black earth regions of the Volga region and the Urals. Lentils grew in the North Caucasus and Ukraine.

It was called crane peas, cochlea, vichka, lyashta. Lentils were used to bake bread, make porridge and soup. Sausage and sweets were made from it. Currently, lentils in Russia are growing in the Volga region, the Central Black Earth regions of the country, in small areas of Tatarstan, Mordovia, Chuvashia, and the western regions of Siberia.

Varieties of lentils and their beneficial properties

Before you start talking about the advantages of this culture, it is worth making a reservation about its diversity. Today there are about 10 varieties of the product, but sprouted lentils are also valuable, in which all the positive properties of the product are preserved. They share a similar nutty flavor and appearance. Often the difference is in the shade. That is why among the main varieties stand out:

red lentils;
green lentils;
black lentils;
brown lentils.

French and red lentils

The French look stands out in a separate group. This variation is often referred to as Puy. This is the name of the city in which the variety was first grown.This type has a surprisingly delicate and pleasant taste. An attractive feature of the variety is that after boiling it retains its shape and color.

Unique red lentils are attractive for their original taste. This product allows you to prepare delicious purees and soups. Its key advantage is the ability to cook quickly. The beauty of red lentils is that they are high in iron and protein. That is why this product is very useful for those who suffer from anemia.

Brown and green varieties

Brown lentils deserve special attention, which are often used in casseroles and soups. This product is suggested to be included in the menu for those who suffer from:

lung diseases;
tuberculosis;
problems with the musculoskeletal system.

Green lentils, which are considered not very ripe fruits, are also incredibly useful. That is why such a product retains its shape even after heat treatment. This type is often used for preparing appetizers, salads, garnish for meat. The variety is useful for ulcers, hepatitis, cholecystitis, hypertension, rheumatism, pyelonephritis.

The value of the yellow variety

Yellow lentils are of high value, enriched with folic acid, potassium, silicon, iron, valuable protein, B vitamins, tocopherol. Also, this species includes valuable amino acids, fiber, beta-carotene. This product helps to normalize digestion. Plus, this kind of lentil creates a feeling of satiety. Also, this variety will benefit those who suffer from:

weakened immunity;
liver problems;
anemia;
cardiovascular and nervous diseases;
fragility of bone tissue;
tendency to oncology.

Growing features

The legume culture will show all its best qualities, subject to the following features of growing lentils:

For plant growth, fruit formation and a high yield, an important feature should be taken into account. The growing conditions of lentils are such that they need a lot of light for a long time to grow normally. Even ten hours of daylight hours will not satisfy her needs. The plant will be frail, the fruits will not ripen, the yield will decrease.
Another feature is to provide the plant with moisture and warmth from the beginning of the growing season. Later, lentils calmly withstand drought.

Seeds are capable of germinating in soil heated to only five to six degrees Celsius. This temperature is considered low.
Where do lentils grow? The crop cannot be grown on compacted soils with low fertility.
How do lentils grow? Lentils grow slowly immediately after planting. She very painfully tolerates the presence of weeds in the neighborhood. Therefore, during this period, the beds should be weeded especially carefully.
Nitrogen accumulates on the roots, which makes the soil more fertile. For this reason, legumes in general, and lentils in particular, are of interest for agriculture.
The fruits can be eaten unripe, they are even tastier.

Growing lentils

In order for lentils to grow and give a crop to the delight of the owners, one more of its features must be taken into account. This is a long day culture and even a 9-10 hour day will not provide normal development, let alone the formation and maturation of the crop.

The place of lentils in culture circulation

If the garden is divided into beds and the sequence of planting crops is observed, then lentils are an excellent precursor for potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, sweet peppers, corn, carrots, beets, garlic and other non-leguminous crops. In turn, lentils are not demanding on their predecessors, but the field must be free of weeds.It is better to return it to its original place after 5-6 years, in order to avoid damage and accumulation of nematodes in the soil.

Preparing the soil for lentils

As a nitrogen accumulator, lentils cannot tolerate a high nitrogen content in the soil. Therefore, it is placed in the culture rotation no earlier than 2-3 years after the introduction of manure. If in previous years only mineral fertilizers were applied to the site, then the soil must be calcareous in order to remove the accumulated acidity.

Since autumn, the soil is filled with phosphorus (35-40 g / sq. M) and potash (20-30 g / sq. M) fertilizers and dug to a depth of 25-30 cm.

In the spring on depleted soils, you can add 20 g / sq. In addition to the autumn norm. m of phosphorus and potash fertilizers. If the soils are provided with nutrients, then fertilization can be omitted in the spring.

Presowing preparation of lentil seeds

The duration of the growing season of lentil varieties ranges from 2.5 to 4.0 months (75-115 days). To keep within daylight hours, it is better to germinate lentil seeds before sowing, which will shorten the pre-emergence period.

On any hard surface, 2-3 layers of moisture-absorbing material are covered, moistened with warm water, spread with a thin layer of seeds, covered with a damp cloth on top and placed in a warm place. Moisten the bedding and seeds 2-3 times a day. With mass kilchevaniye seeds are ready for sowing.

Sowing lentils

As soon as the soil warms up in a 10 cm layer to + 7 ... + 8 ° С, you can start sowing lentils. Early sowing results in higher yields and better disease and pest resistance.

When sowing, soil moisture is very important. Therefore, in dry spring it is better to water the furrows before sowing.

Sowing seeds of lentils is carried out in an ordinary way, leaving a distance in a row of 5-8 cm and between rows of 10-15 cm. The seeding depth is on average 5-6 cm. The sown area is slightly compacted for better closure with the soil. Shoots appear on 7-12 days.

Top dressing lentils

On marginal soils, lentils are fed twice. The first time they are fed before flowering. The second is when pouring beans. It is best to use the "AVA" fertilizer for top dressing, which contains water-soluble forms of phosphorus and 9 trace elements, including boron and molybdenum. The lack of these microelements causes the dying off of the growth point in the stems of the culture.

In addition, with a lack of molybdenum, the ability of bacteria to assimilate nitrogen from the air and fix it in the nodules on the roots, and then in the seeds, decreases. Before flowering lentils, you can also add 200-300 g / r. m of wood ash in the aisles for shallow tillage The "AVA" fertilizer can be used for spring application to the soil instead of phosphorus-potassium.

Lentil care and watering

Care during the growing season consists in keeping the soil in a loose, weed-free state. During the flowering period, lentils are necessarily weeded from the vetch, which clogs the crop plantings. It is very easy to distinguish them. The flowers of the vetch are dark pink, reddish-purple, while those of the lentil are white and light pink.

Water the lentils sparingly until flowering and if necessary. During the period of mass flowering, the culture is provided with a sufficient amount of moisture, but not overmoistened, as this leads to fungal and bacterial diseases of the root system and forming beans. In the subsequent time, lentils practically do not need watering.

Protecting lentils from diseases and pests

Lentils are most often damaged by fungal and bacterial diseases at high soil and air humidity (ascochitis, fusarium, rust, powdery mildew, anthracnose, etc.). Pests - various types of aphids, scoop-gamma, meadow moth, lentil weevil, etc. The main protection measures are the correct and timely implementation of all agrotechnical measures when sowing and caring for the crop.

Of the preparations for plant treatments, it is allowed to use only biological products.Such biological products as "phytosporin-M", "Alirin-B", "trichodermin", "trichophyte" are especially effective in the fight against diseases and pests. Doses and treatment times are indicated in the recommendations for each drug. Biological products can be used at any stage of plant development, up to harvest. They are absolutely harmless to humans and animals.

What fertilizers should be applied?

Many grow lentils in the country. After choosing a planting site, the soil needs to be fertilized so that the beans grow well and give a high yield. How do lentils grow? For normal growth in the spring before planting and in the fall during digging, the soil must be fertilized to increase its fertility. Complex fertilizers containing phosphorus and potassium are ideal. Fifty grams is enough per square meter.

Other fertilizers can be applied. How do lentils grow? There will be good growth and a high yield if superphosphate and potassium salt are added in the amount of 20-50 grams and 10-30, respectively, during the digging of the beds in the fall. In spring, the soil is enriched with ammonium nitrate: 10-30 grams per square meter.

What properties of lentils are useful for treating the human body

The substances contained in beans are a real panacea for many diseases. Let's take a closer look at how the macro- and microelements that make up lentils affect the body.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW!
The uniqueness of the plant lies in the fact that it is unable to accumulate harmful substances. Therefore, the beans remain environmentally friendly, regardless of the area in which they are cultivated.

The benefits and harms of lentils while losing weight

Lentils are, first of all, a very nutritious food. Therefore, you should not even think about whether it is possible to eat lentils while losing weight. It should definitely be included in the dietary menu. Dishes with this product will bring a feeling of fullness for a long time, while saving you from overeating. The body spends a lot of energy to digest protein, which is found in large quantities in beans. The high level of fiber ensures the release of the body from toxins and feces.

Sowing seeds

Planting beans starts early because it is important that the accumulated moisture is preserved in the soil, otherwise the plants will germinate late. In the prepared soil, narrow rows are made, twenty centimeters from one another. Lentil crops are always dense. Seeds are embedded in the soil shallowly, three to five centimeters are enough. They are small in size. Although there are several of them in the pod, the seeds are sown into the ground separately, each at a distance of ten to fifteen centimeters from each other. The deep layers of the soil, at the level of sowing seeds, should warm up to a temperature of three to four degrees Celsius. So that the seedlings are friendly, the seedlings covered with soil are rolled up for closer contact with the ground.

Landing in open ground

The culture gives good yields when cultivated on medium-fertile, loose soils with good aeration, chestnut, podzolic, loamy, sandy loam and chernozems rich in calcium.

Heavy chernozems, acidic and alkaline soils, waterlogged soils are not suitable for the plant. Sowing lentils on soil enriched with organic and nitrogen fertilizers leads to the fact that the plant forms a green mass in a large volume, and the beans ripen unevenly. Their taste and quality indicators deteriorate. In the fall, potassium sulfate is introduced at the rate of 50 g per 1 m².

Before sowing, wood ash is introduced into the soil at the rate of 10 liters per hundred square meters, to which 20 g of ammonium nitrate can be added. No organic matter is added to the culture. Simultaneously with the seeds, superphosphate is added to the rows.

The crop is sown in early spring, when the ground warms up to at least +5 ºС.To speed up the germination of the grain, you can dip it in boiling water for a few seconds and then wrap it in a towel. Such treatment helps to improve the health of the seed from microorganisms and fungal spores. You can soak the seeds in a growth stimulator for a day.

Care

The technology of growing lentils provides for many agrotechnical measures, one of which is care. This legume is an unpretentious plant. How lentils grow, you can clearly see in the photo. She calmly tolerates drought and light frosts. But in the first six months after planting, you need to regularly (daily) water the soil to prevent it from drying out.

Moisture is needed for the growth of the entire plant, but especially for the roots during this period. When they get stronger and gain strength, watering is reduced to two to three times a week. If there are a lot of weeds in the garden, they should be weeded in the aisles and bushes, otherwise they will drown out the lentils and it may die.

How to choose lentils

Choose a product based on your planned meal.

As far as quality is concerned, make sure that the beans are the same color and size, without debris or damage (chips, holes and similar flaws). Do not buy a product in an opaque package.

You should also buy legumes from the country where they are grown. Those. the packaging must indicate the manufacturer and the packer from the same region. The most powerful producer of these legumes is Canada. If you see their manufacturer on the packaging - feel free to buy!

Following Canada, India is the largest supplier of lentil products. Large areas are occupied by this crop in Turkey, Australia and the USA.

Harvest

The beans ripen unevenly: the lower pods ripen earlier than the upper ones. For this reason, they are harvested in two stages: first, when all the beans are ripe, except for those growing in the upper part of the stem, the second is the final harvest when the beans are fully ripe on the entire plant. The fruits are of good quality - they do not crack.

Many field growers mistakenly believe that harvesting can wait. This is a wrong opinion. At late harvest dates, the fruits retain their appearance, but lose their useful qualities. The green color of the beans indicates the high quality of the lentils, while in overripe fruits it changes to a brown hue.

Lentil harvesting and storage

Lentil beans ripen at different times. Ripening begins with the lower beans. When the beans are ripe for 2/3 of the bush, you can start harvesting. The bushes are pruned at ground level, leaving the roots in the soil. Lentil bushes are harvested in the morning after dew to reduce the loss of beans cracking. They are tied into small sheaves and hung under the roof in a draft for drying. After a few days, they begin threshing.

The threshed lentil grain is cleaned of impurities, dried in the sun and immediately packed in glass or metal containers and tightly closed from moisture. The beans are hygroscopic, quickly gain moisture, begin to mold and rot. If the beans are stored in cardboard boxes or canvas bags, it is best to place them in a dark, cool, dry place with good ventilation.

How to germinate lentils?

This process is straightforward. First, the beans need to be doused with boiling water.This will stimulate growth. Then fill with water for a period of eight to fourteen hours. After this time, the beans are rinsed and placed on a damp cloth. Top covered with several layers of gauze and placed in a dark place. It should be the warmest in the room. Lentils are washed twice every day. The sprouts will germinate very quickly. When their length is one or two centimeters, you can use it. Sprouted beans should be refrigerated for five days at most.

Cooking applications

Distinguish between small-seeded and large-seeded or plate culture. The latter is represented by seeds 5-9 mm in size in various shades of green. All other varieties (red, black, brown and others) are mainly small-seeded lentils.

Plate grits are believed to have better palatability and higher nutritional value, but each variety has its own merits.

Brown lentils have a pronounced nutty aroma and a spicy aftertaste. It is suitable for making soups. It can be added to salads, casseroles, and stews. This variety does not boil well.

Yellow grits have a neutral taste. Quickly boiled down, used for stews, soups, mashed potatoes, pates, cereals.

Green groats can have both nutty and mushroom aromas. It retains its shape well during cooking, is used in salads, as a side dish for meat and fish dishes.

Red or orange groats have a savory sweet taste and are widely used in Asian cuisine.

Black lentils have a pungent taste. Its unusual color fades a little when cooked. The variety goes well with vegetables, meat, fish and spices, spicy tomato sauce.

Groats can be used to make pies, cutlets, meatballs, medallions. Lentils are used to make a drink that resembles coffee. Lentil flour is used for baked goods (breads, pancakes, pies) and protein shakes.

How to boil lentils

The cooking time for legumes depends on the variety and color. So, green varieties are cooked from 25 to 40 minutes, brown - 30-35 minutes, red and orange - no more than 20-30 minutes.

As a result of cooking, the grains increase in volume by 3 times. Red varieties hold their shape better. Lentils can be cooked round or chopped. Chopped is used for making soups. It is brewed for only 10-15 minutes.

In order to boil the lentils for a side dish, you first have to sort and wash them. Unlike other legumes, only the beans intended for the soup are soaked to speed up the cooking time and avoid overcooking other vegetables.

Pour the cereal with cold water at a rate of 1: 2 and bring to a boil. At this stage, you can add 1 tbsp to the pan. l. olive or other vegetable oil. The grains should boil slightly under the lid ajar for the required time. Add salt to taste just before the end of cooking.

You can also cook grain in a multicooker on the "Stew", "Porridge" or "Groats" modes.

Red varieties can be cooked in the microwave. For this, 0.5 tbsp. pour hot water so that it covers the grains, salt to taste and put in the microwave oven on the "Vegetables" mode or simply on the most powerful mode for 7-10 minutes.

Lentils go well with rosemary, bay leaves, sage, pepper, soy sauce.

How to store lentils

Lentil seeds can be stored for a long time. Over time, they dry out, darken and become harder. Then they have to cook longer, but this does not affect the nutritional value.

The optimal shelf life is 10-12 months. Lentil grains turn pale when stored in the light, so it is better to keep them in a dark place or in opaque containers, dark glass jars. A cloth bag or cardboard box is suitable for grains.In sealed containers and plastic bags, if legumes are stored with moisture above 14%, condensation may form.

Store grain in a cool dry place with good ventilation. In a damp room, legumes will be covered with bloom, may begin to rot, oxidize, and acquire an unpleasant odor. The same thing happens in a well-heated room or near heat sources.

Cooked lentils can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Boiled grain can be stored in the freezer for 6 months. At the same time, the nutritional value will decrease and the consistency will change, while the taste will remain the same.

Healing properties

Lentils have long been used for medicinal purposes. It has the following healing properties:

Growing up in any conditions, lentils are characterized by the absence of nitrates, radionuclides and other toxic substances, it has the ability not to accumulate them.
Its fruits help to strengthen the muscles of the heart, normalize the process of hematopoiesis.
Regular consumption of lentil foods lowers blood sugar. It is recommended to be included in the diet for people with diabetes.
With stomach ulcers and colitis, the patient is prescribed a special diet, which includes the first and second courses based on lentils.
In its composition, even after processing at high temperatures, important substances are preserved - isoflavones that support women's health. They resist breast cancer cells and prevent the spread of tumors.
People who consume lentils are less susceptible to cardiovascular disease and hypertension.

Types of lentils

Lentils are large-seeded (plate) and small-seeded. The latter is more laborious to grow and therefore more expensive.

Green (French) or unripe brown. A very useful product for people suffering from gastrointestinal diseases and diabetes mellitus. It takes at least an hour to cook, but it tastes better than other types. It can be used in the nutrition of small children (it should be introduced into the diet gradually) and pregnant women.
Brown... Most often they are used for preparing first courses, snacks, salads. Pre-soaked seeds reach readiness in 0.5 hours. Gives the dishes a nutty flavor, the grain keeps its shape during prolonged heat treatment.
Black... Bred in Canada, the seeds are small - about 0.3 cm, black. They cook quickly (20 minutes), have a delicate, original taste.
Red (Egyptian)... The seeds, peeled from the shell, are boiled in a quarter of an hour or even faster, and they make excellent soups and purees. These lentils contain a large amount of iron, therefore they are useful for people suffering from anemia.

Nutritional value

The nutritional and medicinal qualities of lentils have long been appreciated in Europe, from where they spread to the eastern regions, where they are becoming more and more popular. The nutritional value of legumes is as follows:

Lentils are adapted to the perception of the human body. It is well digested and absorbed. Complex proteins and carbohydrates in the composition of lentils saturate the body, the feeling of hunger disappears for a long time, although one hundred grams of the product contains less than three hundred kilocalories.
Thanks to their high protein content, which is easy to digest, beans replace meat. This is especially important for nutrition in diets. A small portion of beans per day can satisfy a person's need for such a valuable substance as folic acid.
There is little fat in lentils; there is only one gram of the product per hundred grams. Such an amount of fat will not increase body weight, but it will provide a feeling of satiety, health and beauty.

Lentils differ in the content of almost all chemical elements of the periodic table, they contain vitamins of different groups. It is generally accepted that only chocolate contains serotonin. This is not true.Lentils contain the amino acid tryptophan in large quantities. In the body, it is converted into serotonin, which is called the "vitamin of happiness." And rightfully so: the psyche becomes more stable, a person has endurance in stressful situations, depressive states decrease in periods.

Lentil varieties

So far, this wonderful culture is planted with us extremely rarely. And lentil seeds are not always on sale. But if you try, you can get seeds of the following varieties:

Lyubava... The variety is mid-season, known for the high consumer qualities of the beans, in 2005 it was entered in the Russian State Register. It takes about 75 days to fully mature. The bushes grow up to 50 centimeters, the seeds are colored light yellow.
Anfiya... The variety is considered mid-season, the seeds ripen in 81–96 days, after ripening the seeds become smooth, the green color remains. Lentils of this variety are distinguished by high commercial and culinary qualities. Plants are resistant to disease, lodging, drought and shedding.
Luhansk... This mid-season (81–96 days from germination to maturity) variety was bred at the Lugansk Institute of APP (Ukraine), is known as drought-resistant and high-yielding. The taste and commercial qualities of lentils are good.
Stepnaya 244... The variety is old, mid-season, bred during the Soviet Union, resistant to drought, shedding and lodging. The seeds are yellow. They boil well.

Useful Tips

Anyone who grows vegetables, including lentils, will benefit from any good advice.

When sowing seeds, you have to move around the garden. Planks can be used to avoid leaving deep marks on the soil. They are placed directly on the ground. They not only protect loose soil, but also trample it down evenly, ensuring close contact with the seeds.
For better germination, fruits are soaked for two days in a specially prepared solution. A few stones of silicon are placed in a glass of water and insisted for about two weeks.
To clean the harvested beans faster, the pods are dried in the sun, folded in a bag and rolled. The fruits are instantly released from the pods.

Peas or lentils - which is healthier

These products are prominent members of the legume family. Therefore, both contain a lot of nutrients in their composition. However, in many respects, lentils are superior to peas. It is rich in folate, an omega-class fatty acid. It contains more protein, iron and phosphorus. In addition, its preparation takes much less time. Peas, in turn, contain more fiber and amino acids.

The degree of benefits of peas and lentils for the body depends on the individual needs of certain substances.

Diseases and pests of lentils

One of the most common pests for lentils is caryopses. These parasites are black bugs, 3-3.6 mm in size. Among other similar beetles, they can be distinguished by the large brown or gray hairs located near the wings. Caryopsis usually spend winter inside damaged fruits. Less often - outside of them. In fields planted with lentils, they are harvested just before flowering begins. Eggs are usually laid by parasites on young beans. When the larva emerges from the eggs, it penetrates into the bean, then into the young seeds, where they support life by feeding on the contents of the fruit. After the development of the larvae is completed, they turn into pupae, and from them, in turn, bugs appear.

Another serious pest for lentils is the meadow moth. They are especially dangerous during periods of increase in numbers and mass reproduction, which usually occurs every 10-12 years. By their actions, they are able to reduce the yield from 50 to 100%, due to which the plants die. In addition to lentils, the meadow moth affects many cultivated plants.

Lentils can also be harmed by scoops from the Lepidoptera family.The caterpillars of this pest affect the leaves. At the same time, they eat out holes or nibble the sheet along the edges. In some cases, the leaves are eaten whole by the caterpillars. They usually hibernate in the upper layers of the soil. When the caterpillar turns into a butterfly, it begins to feed on nectar. Eggs are laid more often on the underside of the leaves. New parasites emerge from the laid eggs within 3-8 days. To combat this pest, inter-row treatments are used. In addition, autumn plowing, the destruction of weeds on which eggs can be laid, as well as sowing of flax are effective.

As for diseases, the most common in lentils are ascochitis, fusarium and rust. Ascochitis is a fungal disease characterized by the appearance of dark spots of various shapes and sizes on the leaves. The edges of these spots have clear contours. On the stems of damaged crops, small elongated or punctate ulcers are visible. On the beans, the fungus leaves raised spots of a dark brown hue. Due to damage to the valves, no fruits are formed. Seeds of affected plants are sluggish, lightweight, with dark spots. The incubation period of the fungus lasts from 3 to 5 days. It develops especially well during the period of heavy precipitation. In order to prevent the development of the disease, you need to ventilate the seeds before planting and "do not tighten" with their planting.

Medicinal and nutritional qualities of lentils

Lentil grains are medicinal, they are widely used in folk medicine. Infusions and decoctions of lentils help with poisoning and lung diseases. Puree from it is recommended for colitis and stomach ailments. The broth is able to remove toxins from the body and has antitumor activity. And if you want to lose weight, be sure to include lentils in your diet! The result will not keep you waiting long, since it is low in calories, rich in fiber, and even small portions of it can cause quick satiety.

You can cook almost everything from lentils, from delicious soups and healthy bread to pilaf and cutlets. And especially refined chefs manage to make even sweets from it)) Lentils go well with fish, eggs, meat, herbs and can be an excellent side dish. Lentil porridge is especially tasty and rich in vitamins, which has a beneficial effect on metabolism, strengthens the heart system and blood vessels. Moreover, lentils retain their properties even after heat treatment.

Almost anything can be made from lentils!

Lentils are rich in amino acids, iron, B vitamins. It is one of the few foods to which our body is genetically perfectly adapted. For all its unique properties, it is deservedly called the bean queen. Well, how can you not grow such a useful plant in the country? Let's sow lentils!

Lentil history

Lentils are mentioned many times in the Bible: Jacob buys the birthright from Esau for lentil stew.

In the Jewish religion, it is the main food during mourning for the deceased, since the round shape of the grains symbolizes the life cycle from birth to death.

It was a major part of the diet of the ancient Iranians who consumed it daily.

In India, sprouted grains are still offered in many temples as food for the gods.

In Italy, lentils are still eaten on New Year's Eve as a symbol of prosperity - most likely because of the round, coin-like shape of the grains.

In the original version of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale "Cinderella", the stepmother makes Cinderella choose lentil grains from ash. If Cinderella fails, she will not go to the ball. These facts prove once again that lentils are a popular food in many countries.

In Russia, this leguminous plant began to be grown as an agricultural crop more than five centuries ago. There is a mention of this in the Kiev chronicles of the 15th century. She was revered as bread.

The largest areas for it were allotted in the 19th century in the Penza province. And lentils grown in the Saratov region, bred in the 30s of the XX century at the Petrovskaya selection and experimental station, were demonstrated at the International Food Exhibition (Brno) - their taste was recognized as the best.