Flax and linseed

Abstract

Flax has a long history of utilization dating back to ancient times. This dual-purpose crop is believed to have originated somewhere in Central Asia, Near East, or Mediterranean region with oil flax (linseed) predating fiber use (fiber flax). Current breeding work on the crop focuses on several characteristics of the oil and fiber to make the crop more competitive for use in the food industry and as source of bioproducts. For both types, increasing yield and improving resistance to lodging, pests, and fungal diseases are important goals. Genetic resources collections of flax are abundant, and breeding programs have been integrating new biotechnology applications into crop research and improvement activities. Overall, global crop production of flax is decreasing, though the trend in opposite in linseed has slight increase in Canada, Egypt, and some member countries of the European Union (EU). The policy environment significantly affects linseed production in the EU and has substantial influence on the marketing and commercialization strategies of the crop.