Characterization of Northern Spring Flax as a Winter Crop for Southeast Texas

Abstract

Increasing interest in biodiesel production led to flax being evaluated as a potential biodiesel crop throughout the USA. The objectives of this study were 1) to determine if northern spring flax varieties can be grown as a winter crop in the southeast Texas environment, 2) characterize the varieties under the southeast Texas environment and 3) to determine if northern spring flax varieties can be grown on a laser-leveled field with 17.8 cm row spacing rather than raised beds. In this study, five northern spring flax varieties, Nekoma, Omega, Pembina, Prairie Thunder and York were grown as a winter crop in Beaumont, Texas on a laser-leveled field. The flax varieties were characterized with respect to morphology, phenology and physiology. In the present study, Omega and Pembina were taller compared to the other varieties. Nekoma had more branches, whereas Omega had more immature capsules per plant, compared to other varieties. Leaf photosynthetic rate was higher in Omega and Prairie Thunder, compared to other varieties. At harvest, Omega and York had more mature capsules, and greater capsule weight and shoot weight per plant, compared to other varieties. Due to delayed machine harvest, there was decrease in flax seed yield due to capsule dehiscence and shattering. Omega had more capsule dehiscence and shattering, compared to other varieties. Seeds of Nekoma and Pembina had more oil content and Omega and Pembina had more protein content. All the above flax varieties have potential to be used as an oilseed crop for biodiesel production in southeast Texas.