Field Evaluation of Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) Genotypes: A Step towards Climate-Resilient Pulse Farming in Indo-gangetic Plains of North Western Bihar, India

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) is one of the oldest domesticated grain legumes which is grown widely throughout the Indian subcontinent. Consequently, lentils has have evolved over a broad range of growing environments globally, which infers broad genetic variation and yield. The unpredictable weather patterns existing in the Indo-gangetic Plains of North Western Bihar, India has affected pulse crop production in general and Lentil in particular. Therefore field evaluation of promising lentil genotypes were carried out with identifying superior adaptability and yield stability as a strategy for pulse farming. In changing, climate scenarios, eight genotypes of lentil were tested in Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bhagwanpur Hat, Siwan, Bihar (India) during Rabi, 2022-23 for its suitability in the region. SVT/Lentil (2022- 23)/6 lentil variety recorded superiority of yield (1200 kg ha -1 ) and yield attributing characters such as plant height (36.57 cm), number of branches per plant (24), and days to 50 % flowering (54 days). Therefore, SVT/Lentil (2022-23)/6 may be suitable genotype for Indo- gangetic plains of North-Western Bihar region of India in terms of yield which was followed by SVT/Lentil (2022-23)/5 variety which recorded yield if 1050 kg ha -1 . Multi location testing will help in promoting these varieties for seed production and large scale cultivation by farmers. The unpredictable weather patterns existing in the Indo-gangetic Plains of North Western Bihar, India has affected pulse crop production in general and Lentil in particular. Therefore field evaluation of promising lentil genotypes were carried out with identifying superior adaptability and yield stability as a strategy for pulse farming.