Masoor Dal Or Lentil Plant is a kind of dry pulse with dark, reddish skin and light green flesh. The lentil plant is also known as lentil pea or Lentilles de Tournesol. It is a legume belonging to the family Lens legumes that are cultivated for its edible seeds and its edible green leaves.
The leaves are sometimes used as a vegetable much like spinach, whereas the seeds are ground into coarse flour and used in baking (particularly in Indian cuisine). The plants grow well with little water but poorly in flooded soil. Lentils are a variety of pulses that are small, oval-shaped, and come in various colors.
Lentils originated in South Asia and were originally considered the poor man’s meal because of their low cost. Today you probably can’t escape them: they’re readily available at most grocery stores. Yes, I’m talking about the lentil soup you had for lunch today.
Contents
Cultivation and Varieties
Masoor dal is a small lens-shaped legume that belongs to the Fabaceae family. It is primarily cultivated in countries like India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. The plant thrives in temperate climates and is adaptable to various soil types.
Masoor dal is available in multiple varieties, including whole red lentils, split red lentils, and polished lentils, each having its own unique culinary uses.
Advantages Of masoor dal or Lentil plant
- Save Space
- Easy to grow
- Fast-growing
- Edible leaves and seeds
- Grows well in a small space.
- Easy to grow in a small space.
Disadvantages Of masoor dal or Lentil plant
- Low Yield
- Produce fruits in the future.
- Low output
Nutritional Profile
Masoor dal is not only delicious but also packs a powerful nutritional punch. It is a rich source of protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it an excellent addition to a balanced diet. A 100-gram serving of cooked masoor dal provides approximately:
- Protein: 9 grams
- Fiber: 8 grams
- Folate: 90% of the recommended daily intake (RDI)
- Iron: 36% of the RDI
- Potassium: 19% of the RDI
- Magnesium: 18% of the RDI
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): 22% of the RDI
- Vitamin B6: 18% of the RDI
Health Benefits
Heart Health: Masoor dal is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and its high fiber content helps to reduce the risk of heart disease. The presence of magnesium and potassium further supports heart health by regulating blood pressure levels.
Weight Management: The combination of protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates in masoor dal promotes satiety and helps control appetite. Including masoor dal in a balanced diet can aid in weight management and provide a sustained release of energy.
Digestive Health: The high fiber content in masoor dal assists in maintaining a healthy digestive system, preventing constipation, and promoting regular bowel movements.
Blood Sugar Control: The complex carbohydrates found in masoor dal are digested slowly, preventing sudden spikes in blood sugar levels. This makes it an excellent choice for individuals with diabetes or those looking to manage their blood sugar levels.
Culinary Uses: Masoor dal’s versatility is showcased through its culinary applications in various dishes. Here are a few popular ways it is used:
Lentil Soups: Masoor dal makes a delightful base for hearty lentil soups. Its delicate texture and earthy flavor enhance the overall taste and nutrition of the dish.
Curries and Stews: Masoor dal is a common ingredient in curries and stews, adding a rich and creamy consistency. It pairs well with spices, vegetables, and even meat in some regional cuisines.
Lentil Salads: Masoor dal can be sprouted and added to salads, providing a crunchy texture and a protein boost to a refreshing dish.
Lentil Burgers and Patties: Mashed masoor dal can be combined with various ingredients to create delicious vegetarian or vegan burgers and patties.
Bad effects Of Lentil
- It is reported that it can cause allergies in some people who are sensitive to lentil plants.
How to Start A masoor dal or Lentil plant?
The lentil plant or masoor dal plant is very easy to grow biennially. You can start from seed or sow in the desired season using low-nitrogen and high-potassium soil with good light conditions.
Select the good land
Select a plot that has good drainage, fertile loam, and well-drained soil. The plot should be in full sun with a maximum height of about 2 feet even after a plot has been prepared for planting and will grow three to four feet tall.
Prepare the soil
You can prepare the soil by adding manure, compost, or chemical fertilizer before sowing seeds. It is advisable to sow the seed in a trench, starting from 3 inches deep particularly if you are increasing the height of your plant after harvest. The seed should be irrigated after planting and must be kept moist until the seeds have germinated and are visible.
Choose A Variety Of seeds of masoor dal or Lentil
You can preserve seeds from the plant that you have grown. You can also sow more seeds in the same plot if you have some seedlings of different varieties. Such as Bombay 18, DPL 15, DPL 62, L 4632, K 75, LL 699, LL 931 and Pusa 4076 and Pusa 4082.
When To Start A masoor dal or Lentil plant?
You can start your planting from March to May. Lentil plant-like warm, dry weather conditions require the soil to be well prepared. The best time to sow the seeds is in March since it is a warmer period and the weather becomes favorable for the growth of plants and seeds.
Seeds per acre
You should sow about 3-4 lbs of seeds for every square yard of the plot. If you want to grow a double plot, then you must sow about 6 lbs of seeds. 6 lbs of seeds are equal to 20 grams each which can be planted in the plot of a half-square yard. If you have seeds of different varieties, then you should sow them on separate plots.
The seeds should be sowed in trenches that are 3 inches deep and need to be watered after planting and kept moist until seed germination takes place. Rooted seedlings are visible after a few days.
Planting method
It is advisable to sow the seeds in a trench that is 3 inches deep and 6 inches wide. Before planting seeds in the plot, you have to chop them off or break them with your hands.
Set Seedlings
You should set the plant up after you see three green leaves. You should water them before setting them to prevent any kind of soil-borne diseases such as mildew and damping-off disease. After 15 to 20 days, you should remove any weeds from around the roots by hand before sowing more seeds.
Watering
You should water the soil until it becomes very loose and is at the depth of 12 inches. You can irrigate the plant regularly in the first few weeks after planting.
Fertilizing
After a few weeks, you should start fertilizing the plant after you see a green color on the plants. You can help the growth of your plant by adding manure or chemical fertilizer. Fertilization will improve the growth and increase the yield of your plant.
Controlling weeds
You should remove the weeds using your hands. You can also use corn gluten meal or cottonseed meal as natural weed killers to control weeds in the plot.
Diseases, Pests
You should remove all the weeds from the plot before planting more seeds. The plant is susceptible to very few diseases caused by powdery mildew, fusarium wilt, and rust fungus. You can apply neem oil to the plants to control these diseases.
Storage
You can store your lentils for a few months in the refrigerator if you do not want to eat them fresh. You should also keep them in a dry and cool place.
Marketing
You should take steps to sell your lentils during the harvesting period. You can sell them to buyers and earn profits. You can store seeds in temperature-controlled warehouses before sowing.
Conclusion
I hope that you enjoy this post and I hope that you will come back again because there are always new posts to read! If you have any comments or questions, feel free to leave them below.
