Effect of boron and zinc on growth, yield and economics of lentil (Lens culinaris) in New Alluvial Zone of West Bengal

A field experiment was conducted at District Seed Farm, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, India, to study the effect of boron (B) and zinc (Zn) on growth, yield and economics of ‘Moitree’ lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) during the winter (rabi) seasons of 2013–14 and 2014–15. Two micronutrients, viz. boron (B) and zinc (Zn), with variations in method and time of applications had significant effect on plant height, dry-matter (DM) production, and cropgrowth rate (CGR) throughout the cropping season. The crop treated with T₄ [recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) + soil application of B @ 1.0 kg/ha)] resulted in the highest aerial dry-matter yield (132.7 g/m²) at 75 days after sowing (DAS) and crop-growth rate (3.23 g/m²/day) between 46 and 75 DAS compared to the other treatments used in the investigation. Although the foliar spray of both B @ 0.1% and Zn @ 0.25% twice at 40 and 60 DAS (T₁₀) recorded the highest number of pods/plant (102.2) and seed yield (1.21 t/ha), single spraying of B @ 0.1% at 40 DAS (T₅) to lentil recorded moderate yield (1.15 t/ha), maximum net return ( 27, 009/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (1.86), which could be used for lentil crop during the winter season in New Alluvial Zone of West Bengal.