Iowa
Representative warm-season temperature is 21°C, inside the 15–29°C optimum. Annual rainfall is 771 mm, inside the 600–1,000 mm optimum rainfall band.
Compared on representative regional temperature and rainfall.
Commercial crop requirements
Growing Lentils: climate, soil and water requirements
Lentils has an optimum temperature range of 15–29°C within an absolute 5–32°C envelope.
Its profile calls for 300 mm of seasonal water and an optimum soil pH of 5.5–7.5.
How to read the figures
Profile figures come from the source cited at the foot of this page. Regional figures are representative reference values, not coordinate-level measurements.
Climate envelope
Use the optimum band for screening normal crop development and the absolute range as an outer tolerance boundary. Accumulated heat still depends on the local planting window and daily temperatures.
| Requirement | Profile value |
|---|---|
| Optimum temperature | 15–29°C |
| Absolute temperature range | 5–32°C |
| Heat to maturity | 1,620 growing degree days above a 5°C base |
| Photoperiod | Long-day response; 14-hour critical daylength |
| Vernalisation | Not required |
Soil and pH
| Requirement | Profile value |
|---|---|
| Optimum pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Tolerated pH range | 4.5–8.2 |
| Waterlogging tolerance | Intolerant |
An intolerant rating means drainage is a screening constraint. Check infiltration, perched-water risk, field outlets and the duration of saturation before committing land.
Water
| Requirement | Profile value |
|---|---|
| Seasonal water requirement | 300 mm |
| Optimum rainfall band | 600–1,000 mm |
| Absolute rainfall range | 250–2,500 mm |
Irrigation becomes necessary when effective in-season rainfall is below the 300 mm seasonal requirement. Convert that gap into a field schedule only after accounting for soil water storage, application efficiency and local rainfall timing.
Nitrogen demand
The profile assigns Lentils nitrogen-demand category 1, which translates to low demand. It is a relative category, not a fertiliser rate.
Set the field program from soil and tissue evidence, expected removals, prior-crop effects and local nutrient rules.
Crop-level reference profile
| Requirement | Profile value |
|---|---|
| Average yield | 1.17 t/ha reference average |
| Growing period | About 95 days to maturity, derived from 1,620 growing degree days above 5°C at a 22°C mean season temperature. Modelled from the crop profile. |
Where it grows well
These examples pass a stated temperature or rainfall comparison using representative regional values. Regional screening, not parcel-level.
Kansas
Representative warm-season temperature is 23.9°C, inside the 15–29°C optimum. Annual rainfall is 642 mm, inside the 600–1,000 mm optimum rainfall band.
Compared on representative regional temperature and rainfall.
Minnesota
Representative warm-season temperature is 18.5°C, inside the 15–29°C optimum. Annual rainfall is 704 mm, inside the 600–1,000 mm optimum rainfall band.
Compared on representative regional temperature and rainfall.
Regional guides
Research basis
These papers support the qualitative interpretation of the crop profile. No paper-derived figure is used on this page; the named crop and region fields remain the only sources of displayed agronomic numbers.
- Physiological and genetic responses of lentil under flood stress
Prolonged saturation disrupts lentil physiology and triggers stress responses, supporting drainage as a constraint.
- Drought stress in Lens culinaris: effects, tolerance mechanism, and smart reprogramming
Water-deficit response varies among cultivated and wild genotypes, so field decisions cannot assume one universal response.
Taking this to a field decision
This profile cannot set planting depth, row spacing, seeding rate, cultivar choice, fertiliser rate, harvest timing, irrigation schedule or drainage design. Those decisions depend on cultivar, local practice and field conditions.
Use a coordinate-level audit, local field evidence and commercial terms before a land or lending decision.
Crop profile source
Wikidata & Literature (Siddique et al., 2000; Plancquaert and Ruissen, 2000).