As The 68th UN General Assembly declared 2016 the International Year of Pulses (IYP) and The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has been nominated to facilitate the implementation of the Year in collaboration with Governments, relevant organizations, non-governmental organizations and all other relevant stakeholders. This is the right time to brought out a book on the lentil one of the most diverse and important cool season food pulses. According to a Hindu proverb "Rice is good, but lentils are my life". Pulses are the major source of dietary protein to the majority of Indian population and contribute significantly to the nutritional security of the country. India is the largest producer, consumer, importer and processor of pulses in the world. Ironically, the country's pulse production has been hovering around 14- 15 Mt, coming from a near-stagnated area of 22- 23 M ha, since 1990-91. Global, top lentil producers are Canada, India, Turkey and the United States. Canada is the leading lentil exporting nation. The major importing countries are Spain, Colombia, Egypt, Algeria and Sri Lanka. India, Turkey, Ethiopia, China, Syria, Iran and Bangladesh are among the top ten producers. In 2010 the area of lentil worldwide was 4.2 million hectares and the average worldwide yield was 1.1 metric tons per hectare. India ranked first in the area and second in the production with 35.57% and 23.94% of world area and production respectively with productivity of 697 kg/ha well below the world average (1103kg/ha). Uttar Pradesh is major contributors shares half of the total lentil production followed by Madhya Pradesh contributing ¼ of total lentil production of India. There is urgent need of best agronomic practices to improve lentil production, including INM, IPM, IWM etc. Lentil is in general pest free crop under normal condition if proper crop rotation is follows. However, Pod borer, Aphids and Wilt (Fusarium lentis) are major insects and disease pests to be address in efficient manner. This book contains 32 chapters covering all major aspects related to lentil production to consumption.
Dr Anil Kumar Singh is a Principal Scientist (Agronomy) at ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna (Bihar). With more than 14 years of professional experience in the field of Natural Resources Management (NRM) and Plant Genetic Resources Management (PGRM), served as Head-in-charge of Crop Research Programme, Pusa Bihar and Officer-in-charge NBPGR regional Station Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir). Have worked extensively on resource conservation technologies, nutrient management in cropping system, cropping system, developed refined agro-techniques, integrated farming system, including rainfed rice based crop production system. Developed five faba bean varieties and successfully completed 27 research projects of which five are externally funded projects in collaboration with international organizations like the World Bank, USAID, and various GC Centres like IRRI and CIMMYT. Having more than 293 publications including 108 research articles in international / national peer reviewed journals and 6 books on various aspects of agricultural economy including one Encyclopedic Dictionary of Agriculture. Conducted several training as a course director designed for state agriculture/development officers. Contribution of Dr Singh has been recognized by the professional societies by appointing him as editorial board member, of Journal of Agricultural Sciences (ISSN:1916-9752) and Journal of Plant Disease Sciences (ISSN:0973-7456). Dr Singh has also been recognized by the professional societies by awarding him National Academy of Agricultural Sciences Associateship 2014, Rashtriya Gavrav Award 2013, Certificate of Recognition -2012, Young Scientist Award- 2011, Kunwar Sexana Bahadur SRDA Award -2010, Scientist of the Year Award -2009, Rural Scientist of Biennium -2008-09.
Dr. Narayan Bhakta is presently working as Senior Scientist, Plant Breeding at ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna (Bihar). As a member of the team, he established a research station of Central Rice Research Institute at Gerua in Assam in 1997 as Regional Rainfed Lowland Research Station, Gerua. He contributed in developing the infrastructure of the research station and acted as Officer in-charge of the research station for more than four years. With more than 18 years of professional experience in the field of rice breeding and rice genetic resources management for rainfed lowland flood prone ecosystem, he has developed and released three varieties of boro rice and one variety of aromatic short grain rice. He has also developed a number of elite lines of rice including genetic stocks of deep water rice for rainfed lowland flood prone ecosystem. He has received the best scientist award of central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack during the year 2008-09. He has 14 publications including seven research papers in peer reviewed journals.
Dr. Manibhushan is presently working as Scientist (SS), Computer Application in Agriculture at ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna, Post- Bihar Veterinary College, Patna (Bihar). With more than 15 years of professional experience in the field of Natural Resources Management (NRM), Database Management System (DBMS), Decision Support System (DSS), website development, programming in C, C++, SQL, Visual Basic, HTML, JAVA, etc. and land suitability classification using different digital image processing software. He has developed different information systems, decision support systems, spatial data analysis and development of land suitability maps. Having more than 15 research papers in national and international journals and several popular articles, technical bulletins. Contribution of Dr Manibhushan has also been recognized by the professional societies by awarding young scientist award in 2013. He has been recognized by appointing as a member and editor of journal Biospectra- ISSN: 0973-7057 and Journal of AgriSearch journal.
Dr. Umedrao Ramrao Sangle did his Graduation in Agriculture and Master degree in Agriculture (Plant Pathology) and Ph.D. from CCS University, Meerut and part worked at Division of Plant Pathology, IARI, New Delhi. Presently he is working as senior scientist (Plant Pathology) at ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna (Bihar). He has vast experience on different crops, Microbial pesticides, biofungicides molecular characterisation and PGPR. He has visited Thailand to be a part of Asian Countries on Network on cotton in Asia and North Africa (INCANA). Member of 3rd Board Meeting of US-India Agriculture Knowledge Initiative (AKI) US Department of Agriculture of Agriculture, Washington DC at New Delhi. He has published 30 research papers, many book chapters and popular articles. He has completed two projects as PI and running four externally funded projects of which three are International projects. Developed four varieties including Makhana variety. He has been also recognized by the professional societies and recipient of Young Scientist Award and Life Fellowship-2013 by the FMSET & FICCB, Ranchi. He is member of many national and international professional bodies, societies and committees. Dr Sangle has developed strains of bioagents and their mass production technology and established mushroom and bioagents production unit in different States. Er. Prem K Sundaram has born at Nalanda district of Bihar state and completed school education in Bokaro Steel City, Jharkhand. He has completed his graduation (B. Tech, Agricultural Engg.) from CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hissar, Master's (M. Tech, Farm Machinery and Power Engg.) from G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar. He has more than 6 years of professional experience in the field of natural resources management (NRM), Biofuel, design and development of agriculture machines. He has significantly contributed in the field of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering. He has been a part of project funded by IFAD and IRRI. He has one patent, more than 14 national and international research articles and various popular articles to his credit. He has been editor and reviewer of Journal of AgriSearch and Hortflora Research Spectrum. He is life member of Indian Society of Agricultural Engineering (ISAE).
Dr. Sanjeev Kumar is working as Head of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Nalanda of Bihar agricultural university, Sabour, Bhagalpur. He is throughout First class from Matriculation to Doctorate level. He did his post-graduation (2000) from Allahadad Agricultural Institute, Naini and doctoral degree from National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana (2009. He qualified NET in Dairy Engineering and Technology conducted by ICAR. He stared his carrier as Research Associate in Network project at NDRI, Karnal since 2000. Subsequentely, he joined as Training Associate-cum-Jr Scientist at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Banka under the jurisdiction of Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa. Further, he selected and contributed as Assistant Professor at Sanjay Gandhi institute of Dairy Technology, Patna under BAU, Sabour and promoted to Assistant Professor (Sr. Scale). He again selected and contributed as Head for KVK, Nalanda under BAU, Sabour since 2012. Dr. Kumar has having experiences in Teaching, Research, Extension and Administration for more than 15 years in different capacity. Dr. Kumar has completed four Research projects as principal investigator (PI) and Co-PI comprising one externally funded project. He has one patent, more than 50 publications including four Book chapter, Technical Bulletin. Dr. Kumar has been awarded Young scientist award by All India veterinary public health Association in year 2010. Dr Kumar has also been awarded six Best paper/poster awards in International/National Conferences and Seminars.
Dr. Yasin Jeshima, K. Born on 4th February 1979 at Madurai city of Tamil Nadu in a farmer's family, Dr. Yasin Jeshima, K., has obtained her graduation (1999) and post-graduation in Plant breeding and Genetics (2001) from TNAU, Doctorate in Genetics (2008) from KAU and Post-Doctoral Fellowship (2012-2013) from ARO, Volcani, Ministry of Agriculture, Israel; acquired masters in animation. She started her career as ARS-Scientist in 2009; attended a semester course from Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel and three major courses on Intellectual Property from World Intellectual Property Organisation. She is currently working on abiotic stress tolerance of legumes at ICAR-NBPGR and is a PGR faculty at IARI. She has contributed significantly in developing two of the leading salinity tolerant rice varieties. She was a topper and was a recipient of JNU-JRF and ICAR-SRF fellowships. Qualified NET of ICAR-ASRB in Genetics (2003), Plant Breeding (2006), Biotechnology (2008) and Crop Improvement (2009). She has developed a concept known as "SMART" agriculture and strongly in favour of "Merging Plant Breeding with Crop Biotechnology". Participated and organised many workshops and trainings. She is a Bioinformatician and Statistician too, known for her commendable interpretations. She has published more than 15 peer reviewed research papers, 5 books, 6 chapters, 5 practical manuals, 78 gene bank submissions including three publications in science, more than 25 conference presentations and invited lectures. She is a member of top scientific societies in India and abroad. So far she has been conferred with three society awards. She is a recipient of foreign recognition in the form of fellowships and collaborative research projects.
