Field plot conditions for the expression and selection of straw fibre concentration in oilseed flax
Date
2007-08-30
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
In Canada, flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is grown for its seed oil. However, a major disadvantage associated with growing oilseed flax is that the straw is difficult to incorporate into the soil after harvest. Instead, the majority of flax straw is burned in the field, increasing the workload for farmers, as well as creating air pollution. Agronomic concerns are also associated with burning, since it leaves fields vulnerable to wind and water erosion. A small market exists for Canadian flax straw for making high quality paper products and some plastic composites. However, fibre-based and fibre-using industries are growing world wide, and flax straw fibre is becoming an important product. Flax straw fibre concentration varies among cultivars and environments. Consistently high fibre concentrations are essential if the fibre in oilseed flax is to become an important product for Canadian farmers. This study assembled the agronomic information necessary to select for increased straw fibre concentration in the Crop Development Centre (CDC) Flax Breeding Program. Three experiments were conducted to determine: how seeding rate and row spacing effects straw fibre concentration, the effects of seeding date on straw fibre concentration, and how nitrogen fertilizer rates effects straw fibre concentration. Seeding in mid-May at either an 18 or 36 cm row spacing at a seeding rate of 30 or 45 kg/ha resulted in high straw fibre concentration without reducing other important oilseed characteristics such as seed yield, oil content and straw fibre yield. Nitrogen fertilizer did not have an effect on either straw fibre concentration or straw fibre yield.
Description
Keywords
oilseed flax, straw fibre concentration, NIR, agronomic conditions
Citation
Degree
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Department
Plant Sciences
Program
Plant Sciences