Identification of promising lentil genotypes for Terai region of West Bengal

The present investigation was carried out during 2015 – 2017, where 22 lentil genotypes  grown under bio inoculation treated and non treated conditions in multi location for two consecutive seasons, in order to identify bio inoculants responsive and suitable varieties. The trial was conducted in two district of West Bengal i.e. Malda and Coochbehar. The results indicated that genotypes responded differentially to bio inoculants. Six genotypes ILL-2-8, PL-406, Subrata, ILL-2-14, L-4076 and ILL-10951 performed well with higher inoculation efficiency. There was a positive relation between inoculation efficiency and change in harvest index due to bio inoculation and a negative relationship was found between percent incremental dry matter accumulated in the shoot and change in harvest index due to bio-inoculation. Five lentil genotypes which are responsive to bio inoculants were selected and its assessment was done in order to select the most suitable genotypes in specific environments. From the results, it was evident that significant differences were found among 5 lentil genotypes. In Coochbehar district the highest yield was recorded in K 75 (1.83t/ha). In Malda district, the same variety yielded significantly higher than all other varieties with 2.47 t/ha. Out of the selected varieties for multilocational trial, which performed better than the popular variety Maitree with a potential yield of 1.16 and 1.76 t/ha in Coochbehar and Malda tested under different projects, K-75 and BM-6 may be selected for further exploitation in the region with good adaptability and yield potential.