The study entitled "Optimizing Growth and Yield of Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) via Foliar Nutrient Application in Rice-Lentil Relay Cropping System" was conducted at Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi (Muzaffarpur) during 2020-21. The research utilized a Randomized Block Design with ten treatments, each replicated three times, using the HUL-57 lentil variety. The treatments included; T1- Water Spray, T2- 2% Urea, T3- 2% DAP, T4- 0.5% Potassium Nitrate, T5- 0.5% NPK@ 19:19:19, T6- 0.5% Zinc Sulphate, T7- 2% Urea + 0.5% Zinc Sulphate, T8- 2% DAP + 0.5% Zinc Sulphate, T9- 0.5% Potassium Nitrate + 0.5% Zinc Sulphate, T10- 0.5% NPK@19:19:19 + 0.5% Zinc Sulphate. In all the above treatments, nutrients were applied invariably at two growth stages as foliar application, i.e., first at pre-flowering stage and second at pod initiation stage. Foliar spray treatments significantly influenced lentil growth, yield and protein content. The application of nutrients via foliar sprays enhanced plant height, dry matter production, the number of branches and nodules plant-1 which helped in producing higher seed yield. Significantly greater plant height, dry matter production, and the number of branches per plant were observed with the foliar application of 0.5% NPK (19:19:19) + 0.5% Zinc Sulphate spray at pre-flowering and pod initiation (T10) at 90 days after sowing. This treatment notably influenced growth due to the varied foliar nutrient applications. Additionally, it resulted in significantly higher seed (1477 kg ha-1) and stover yields (2838 kg ha-1). However, these nutrient applications did not affect the harvest index. The protein content in the seeds was also significantly impacted by the different treatments

Lentil, Relay cropping, Protein, Pulse, Foliar spray, Biofortification

The present study demonstrated that foliar nutrient applications significantly influenced the growth, yield, and protein content of lentil. Among the various treatments, the application of 0.5% NPK (19:19:19) + 0.5% Zinc Sulphate (T10) at pre-flowering and pod initiation stages resulted in the highest seed yield (1477 kg ha-1) and stover yield (2838 kg ha-1), along with a notable increase in protein content (24.23%). The enhanced plant height, dry matter accumulation, branch number, and nodulation indicate the beneficial effects of foliar-applied nutrients in optimizing crop growth and productivity. The findings suggest that balanced foliar fertilization can be a viable strategy for improving lentil production in rice-lentil relay cropping systems

Akramul Hoque, Partha Sarathi Patra, Harendra Singh, Rajeev Kumar Srivastava, Arju Sahid Ahmed, Bratati Kanjilal, Harkesh Meena and Sanjivani Karki (2025). Optimizing Growth and Yield of Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) via Foliar Nutrient Application in Rice-Lentil Relay Cropping System. International Journal on Emerging Technologies, 16(2): 83–89