Pulses such as chickpea and lentil need little nitrogen fertilizer because root bacteria supply it, and they leave the soil better for the next crop.
What they need
- Well-drained soil: waterlogging kills roots and invites wilt.
- Inoculated, clean seed of an adapted variety; seed-borne disease is a common loss.
- Early weed control: pulses are weak competitors in the first weeks.
- Phosphorus if the soil test is low; it helps nodules and pod set.
Watch for
Pod borers during flowering, and rust or blight in humid, cool spells. Scout and act early.
In rotation
After cereals, pulses break pest cycles and reduce the nitrogen bill of the following crop.
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