Catálogo de publicaciones - libros

Modern varieties are backbone of formal seed industry. The availability, access, and use of quality seed of adaptable crop varieties, are critical in increasing agricultural productivity, ensuring food security, and improving farmers livelihoods. However, research in legumes particularly lentil is relatively new compared to cereals both at IARCs and NARS (citeauthorch21:aw-hassan2003, citeyearch21:aw-hassan2003). The impact of investments in agricultural research can be realized only if farmers have better access to high quality seed of the new crop varieties. Since seed quality is one of the main factors that affects crop production potential it should reach farmers in a good quality state. Seed quality comprises many aspects where four key attributes are explicitly identified: genetic, physical, physiological and health quality. However, seed quality can be affected by environmental conditions under which the crop is grown and the cultural practices used for production. Maintaining seed quality is essential if the variety is to meet the expectation of farmers and consumers. Seed producers should be aware of the technical and regulatory requirements for growing a crop for seed, and ensure that all operations are carried out strictly under specific guidelines in a timely fashion. The quality of the seed can be ensured by following a combination of key technical procedures and regulatory measures. The quality control assurance system by establishing administrative guidelines and technical procedures plays a supervisory role for smooth operation and implementation of the program and for enforcing the regulatory measures to maintain the quality of seed produced. Limited choice of improved varieties, lack of sufficient quantity of seed, mechanization problems in developing countries, and high seed production costs, are some of the major constraints hindering the development of an effective and efficient lentil seed industry. This chapter covers key components such as variety maintenance and technical aspects of seed production, seed processing, seed storage, and seed quality assurance

For effective storage and end-uses, different drying and storage techniques and principles need to be followed based on the requirements and problems associated with the end use characteristics of lentils. This chapter deals with established drying and storage methods of lentils with emphasis on the mathematical models and associated drying and storage related thermo-physical properties of lentils. Potential of other methods of drying lentils has been mentioned. Effects of drying and storage on lentil quality have been assessed and recent techniques to measure these quality parameters have been discussed. This chapter also deals with the insect free storage of lentil for seed as well as for food purpose. Various insect management strategies for the storage of lentils have been discussed. Apart from conventional storage methods, recent control measures which can be used for lentil storage have also been discussed

Taking into consideration different ecologies, regions, countries and continents lentils are adapted throughout world. Its cultivation has been taken up by large, medium and small farmers mainly under rainfed but also in irrigated ecosystems. The lentil growers in different countries face the challenges of biotic and abiotic stresses more or less of the same magnitude which are responsible for the low productivity and stagnation in the production. Marketing and trade arrangements and distortions can also produce enormous impacts in some regions. Examples of the main production systems from around the world are given. Within these productivity varies greatly from country to country and there are wide gaps between developed and under developed nations. Such gaps in the productivity can be minimize with the introduction of modern techniques. National and international research organizations are working on various aspects of lentil improvement and these programs have come out with excellent technologies for lentil growers. Their applicability and adoption has varied around the world. The availability of high yielding, resistant, quality and widely adapted cultivars with an appropriate agronomic package is not generally a problem in any part of the world. The chain of quality seed production is also being maintained and improving day by day. The various organizations are involved in technology transfer to farmers