GREEN SEED COAT COLOUR RETENTION IN LENTIL - University ...

2.8.2.1 Proper swathing and desiccation timing for lentil
The proper timing for desiccating and swathing in lentil has been well
established. SAFRR (2005) published agronomic guidelines for swathing of lentil
crops indicating that the best timing for preharvest treatment is when the bottom one
third of the lentil canopy is near harvest maturity. This means that the seeds in the
bottom one third of the canopy would rattle inside the pods when shaken. The
middle one third of the canopy would be close to the same stage and would be
brown in colour but the seeds would not rattle. The top one third will have a
majority of the pods either green or in the buckskin stage of maturity, which is
described as light brown or buckskin in colour and the seeds inside are soft but
changing colour. Care must be taken in checking the maturity by checking the
uppermost seeds because in some years the pod walls may remain green while the
seed is physiologically mature. The top of the plant may still be flowering at the
proper timing for swathing.
It is considered best to swath when there is high humidity in the air or dew
on the canopy, for example in early morning or at night. This will reduce the
amount of shatter loss that is experienced from the bottom one third of the canopy.
It is also suggested that the swath be rolled, a common practice in canola
production. Rolling presses the windrow down into the remaining stubble so it is
anchored to prevent wind damage. Lentil swaths have a large surface area to weight
ratio and they are susceptible to movement by the wind (SAFRR, 2005). To help
reduce swath movement by wind it is advised that the swath be laid parallel to
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