Environmental adaptation of small‐seeded lentils (Lens culinaris) in Indian climates: Insights into crop–environment interactions, mega‐environments, and breeding approaches

• DOI: 10.1002/csc2.70090
• Publication Date: 2025-05-30T03:14:02Z
• Authors: Ashok Kumar Parihar; Shailesh Tripathi; Kali Krishna Hazra; Amrit Lamichaney; Debjyoti Sen Gupta; Jitendra Kumar; Anil Kumar Singh; Jai Dev Sharma; Parvez Ahmad Sofi; Ajaz Ahmad Lone; Muniyandi Samuel ...; Ashok Kumar; Sarvjeet Singh; Harsh Kumar Dikshit; Murlidhar Aski; Sumer Singh Punia; Manoj Katiyar; Anil Kumar Singh; Subhash Chandra; Chandra Shekhar M...; Hironya Kumar Borah; Amitava Banerjee; Arpita Das; Deepak Singh; Sanjeev Gupta; Girish Prasad Dixit
• Keywords: Mega-

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the impact of diverse environments on agronomic traits small‐seeded lentils in India and identify strategic environment(s) for crop improvement using empirical approaches. Sixteen lentil genotypes were tested across 16 locations, covering North Hill Zone (NHZ), Western Plain (NWPZ), Eastern (NEPZ). Crop yield exhibited a quadratic response maximum temperature during flowering (TMAX F ) minimum reproductive period (TMIN RP ), indicating that both higher lower TMAX (optimal = 23.5°C) TMIN 12.0°C) negatively affected yield. Low temperatures extended duration, correlation analysis confirmed environment‐induced variations vegetative or maturity periods significantly influenced yield, as further validated by regression models principal component analysis. While an increased seed weight, its association with grain was non‐significant. Among zones, NWPZ recorded highest average (1359 kg ha −1 while NEPZ (1269 demonstrated greater consistency locations. Genotype, environment, genotype‐by‐environment interaction (GEI) contributed 6%, 53%, 36% total variation, respectively. Biplot identified three distinct mega‐environments, Durgapura Varanasi (NEPZ), Faizabad Berthin (NHZ) emerging ideal testing sites. highlights significant influence agroclimatic conditions emphasizes need region‐specific breeding harness positive GEI (at mega‐environment scale) prioritize early optimal achieve broader adaptability Indian climates.