IPL 220
A biofortified small-seeded lentil from ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur, carrying notably higher grain iron and zinc than ordinary masoor; it has been one of the most widely multiplied lentils in the country in recent years.
Quick facts
- Crop
- Lentil (Masoor)
- Type
- Biofortified open-pollinated
- Season
- Rabi
- Maturity period
- 120–130 days
- Seed rate
- 30–40 kg/ha (12–16 kg/acre) for line sowing
- Expected yield
- High — around 13–16 q/ha under managed conditions
- Suitable soil
- Loam
- Release
- Biofortified variety from ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur — high grain iron and zinc
About this variety
IPL 220 is a biofortified small-seeded lentil from ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur, bred for higher grain iron and zinc than a normal masoor — reported grain iron in the range of roughly 70–115 ppm and zinc around 50–65 ppm — with the aim of using an everyday dal to address dietary iron and zinc shortfall. It matures in about 120–130 days and yields on par with mainstream small-seeded varieties, roughly 13–16 q/ha under good management. In recent years it has been among the most widely multiplied lentils in India, accounting for a large share of the country's lentil breeder-seed production, so it is comparatively easy to source. Grown as a normal dal crop it does not look or cook differently from ordinary masoor; the biofortification is in the grain composition.
Key characteristics
Sowing & cultivation
- Sowing timeMid-October to mid-November across its recommendation zones
- Seed rate30–40 kg/ha (12–16 kg/acre) for line sowing
- FertilizerAbout 15–20 kg N and 40–50 kg P2O5 per hectare basal, plus 20 kg S; a zinc application on zinc-poor soil supports both yield and the grain-zinc trait. Rhizobium and PSB seed inoculation
- HarvestingHarvest at about 120–130 days when plants yellow and lower pods dry brown; handle as an ordinary masoor lot.
Yield & maturity
Maturity period
120–130 days
Expected yield
High — around 13–16 q/ha under managed conditions
Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.
Pest & disease considerations
Major diseases
Advantages & considerations
Why farmers may choose it
- Higher grain iron and zinc than ordinary masoor — a nutrition gain from an everyday dal, at no extra cost to the grower
- Yields on par with mainstream small-seeded varieties, so the nutrition trait does not cost yield
- Widely multiplied and comparatively easy to source as certified seed
Things to consider
- The higher iron and zinc are not visible in the field or the kitchen — buy certified seed of the named variety rather than assuming any red masoor is biofortified
- Confirm the current disease rating and recommended zone with your KVK before large-scale planting
Suitable regions
States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.
- Uttar Pradesh
- Madhya Pradesh
- Bihar
Frequently asked questions
What does "biofortified" mean for IPL 220?
It means the variety was bred to put more iron and zinc into the grain itself — reported grain iron around 70–115 ppm and zinc around 50–65 ppm, higher than ordinary masoor — so an everyday dal delivers more of these nutrients without any change in how it is grown or cooked.
Does IPL 220 yield less than a normal lentil because of the biofortification?
No — it yields on par with mainstream small-seeded varieties, roughly 13–16 q/ha under good management. The nutrition trait is in the grain composition, not at the cost of yield.
Sourced from: ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur — biofortified lentil varieties, ICARDA — lentil biofortification research. editorial policy.