A preliminary look at factors affecting fiber content of oilseed flax on the prairies
Date
2003-02-18
Authors
Ulrich, A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Presentation
Degree Level
Abstract
The fiber content of oilseed flax straw has a very significant impact on the profitability of
processing it into added value products. To date, there has been almost no published data on
how flax straw fiber content varies in Western Canada and what factors are influencing this
variation. In 2001, the bast fiber content in the straw from 16 oilseed flax varieties grown in
replicated plots at 11 widely separated sites in Saskatchewan were compared as was the bast
fiber content from three other sites where three oilseed varieties were grown in replicated plots
with two seeding dates, three seeding rates and three nitrogen fertilizer rates. Many of the
locations experienced the driest weather in the last 100 years and hence plant height, seed yield
and fiber content were generally lower than normal. There were statistically significant
differences between most of the locations and often between varieties at the same location.
Some agronomic practices also had significant effects on fiber content. We do not know how
much bias and misleading information was generated by the dry conditions. We must continue
this type of study if we expect profitable flax straw processing plants to set up on the Prairies.
Description
Keywords
oilseed flax straw, variety trials, agronomic trials, adding value to flax straw
Citation
Degree
Department
Program
Advisor
Committee
Citation
Part Of
Soils and Crops Workshop