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

prevailing winds. A problem that occurs when the swath is close to the ground but
not supported by the stubble is that air is unable to flow under the swath to dry it
from the bottom. To increase the drying potential of the crop, the lentil swath could
be laid wider than traditional wheat swaths to increase the drying rate. This
technique works well for alfalfa used as forage (Shearer et al., 1992).
2.8.2.2 Windrowing and desiccating in other crops
The effect of windrowing on grain yield and quality has been studied in
other crops. In flax (Linum usitatissmium), Gubbels et al. (1993) demonstrated that
if swathing does not commence at exactly the proper stage, the yield was reduced
compared to desiccation with diquat. They also reported that desiccation with diquat
should begin at the same time as swathing for optimum yield and quality for the
parameters tested in flax. Cenkowski et al. (1989b) found that swathing canola did
not reduce chlorophyll levels compared to leaving the plants standing. Swathing is
often done at physiological maturity which is before harvest maturity. In pea,
fababean, chickpea, lupin, and soybean the proper timing for desiccation is when
seed is at 45 to 50 percent moisture content (Ellis et al., 1987).
Much research has been conducted about desiccation of cereal crops. Clarke
et al. (1982) found that swathing caused little yield loss in oat (Avena sativa) unless
it was done at the milk stage or earlier. Quality losses due to green kernels were a
downgrading factor when the oats were swathed too early. Bovey and McCarty
(1965) found that desiccation with diquat accelerated the onset of grain sorghum
maturity and only negatively affected grain yield and quality when applied at
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