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Lentil Varieties
There are two basic types of lentil, both of which are grown worldwide, and which have been developed from ancient times. They are:
Chilean - a large-seeded type, e.g., Laird
Persian - a smaller-seeded type, e.g., Eston
Laird is a Chilean variety of lentil. It is considered by many lentil importers and consumers to be the prima donna of lentil. It is the most widely-grown variety, and is considered an extra-large seeded type. It requires 100 days to reach maturity and has some resistance to ascochyta blight. It is the tallest variety available.
Eston is a Persian variety of lentil. Eston lentil is small-seeded, matures about 10 days earlier than Laird, and out-yields Laird by about 7%. Eston lentil can be less popular because it is shorter than Laird and is more susceptible to ascochyta blight.
CDC Richlea is a medium-sized Chilean-type similar in size and color to the Chilean lentil grown in the USA. It is a high yielding variety that is susceptible to both ascochyta blight and anthracnose.
Varieties such as CDC Gold, CDC Royale, CDC Matador and Indianhead are grown in small volumes and are sold into niche markets
The recent breakthrough in ascochyta blight resistance at the Crop Development Center in Saskatoon has led to the development of a number of new varieties destined to replace Laird, Eston and CDC Richlea. However, none of the new varieties are resistant to anthracnose. CDC Glamis is an ascochyta blight resistant large-seeded Chilean type lentil to replace Laird. CDC Glamis has out-yielded Laird in trials. It has a slightly smaller seed than Laird which may present a marketing problem in some countries.
CDC Milestone is an ascochyta blight resistant small-seeded Persian type lentil to replace Eston. CDC Milestone has out yielded Eston in trials. Characteristics of the plant and seed are very comparable to Eston. so CDC Milestone should be well accepted in the market-place.
CDC Vantage is an ascochyta resistant medium-sized Chilean type lentil to replace CDC Richlea. It has out-yielded CDC Richlea in trials. CDC Vantage has similar seed characteristics and is slightly shorter than CDC Richlea.
CDC Redwing is a small-seeded red lentil with a pale green seed coat suitable for the red, split market. It is resistant to ascochyta blight, but susceptible to anthracnose.
Crimson is a red lentil developed in the USA at Washington State University.
Common Chilean is not a named cultivar as such, but is the designation given to seed used by early growers of lentil. It is obtained from the Palouse Area of Idaho and Washington.
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