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
- 120тАУ130 days
- Seed rate
- 30тАУ40 kg/ha (12тАУ16 kg/acre) for line sowing
- Expected yield
- High тАФ around 13тАУ16 q/ha under managed conditions
- Suitable soil
- Loam
- Release
- Biofortified variety from ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur тАФ 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 тАФ reported grain iron in the range of roughly 70тАУ115 ppm and zinc around 50тАУ65 ppm тАФ with the aim of using an everyday dal to address dietary iron and zinc shortfall. It matures in about 120тАУ130 days and yields on par with mainstream small-seeded varieties, roughly 13тАУ16 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 rate30тАУ40 kg/ha (12тАУ16 kg/acre) for line sowing
- FertilizerAbout 15тАУ20 kg N and 40тАУ50 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 120тАУ130 days when plants yellow and lower pods dry brown; handle as an ordinary masoor lot.
Yield & maturity
Maturity period
120тАУ130 days
Expected yield
High тАФ around 13тАУ16 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 тАФ 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 тАФ 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 тАФ 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 тАФ reported grain iron around 70тАУ115 ppm and zinc around 50тАУ65 ppm, higher than ordinary masoor тАФ 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 тАФ it yields on par with mainstream small-seeded varieties, roughly 13тАУ16 q/ha under good management. The nutrition trait is in the grain composition, not at the cost of yield.
Sourced from: ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur тАФ biofortified lentil varieties, ICARDA тАФ lentil biofortification research. editorial policy.