Lentils on Challenging soils: Results from 2025 trials
Three new project updates are providing fresh insights into what matters most when growing lentils on challenging soils across the Eyre Peninsula.
Results from trials at Wangary, Poochera and Rudall show lentils can perform well, but the main constraint changes depending on soil type, paddock history and landscape position.
At Wangary, lentils on ameliorated duplex soils yielded 2.5–3.0 t/ha in a favourable season, with nitrogen supply emerging as the main yield driver once physical soil constraints had been addressed.
At Poochera, phosphorus availability and effective inoculation were the standout factors on calcareous sandy soils. Despite soil test P appearing adequate, the trial showed that improving phosphorus availability had a strong impact on yield, while nil-inoculant treatments performed very poorly.
At Rudall, soil type and landscape position were the biggest influences on lentil performance. Mid-slope soils were the most responsive to inputs, while sandy rises remained high-risk and less responsive, reinforcing the need for zone-specific management in variable paddocks.
Across all three sites, the key message is clear: successful lentil production on challenging soils starts with identifying the main constraint in each paddock. In some situations that may be nitrogen, in others phosphorus availability, nodulation or underlying chemical and physical soil issues.
Read more on the AIR EP Project Page “Growing lentils on challenging soils on Eyre Peninsula”
This work was funded by the GRDC project ‘NGN Establishing and growing lentils on challenging soil types on the Eyre Peninsula AIP2504-001SAX’ being led by AIR EP and delivered by EPAG Research.
