Evaluation of Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) As a Viable Crop Again in Kentucky.

Evaluation of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) as a viable crop again in Kentucky

 compared with production in North Dakota   

Maythem Al-Amery, Watchareewan Jamboonsri, Chad Lee, James Hammond, Tim Phillips,

 Xile Li and David Hildebrand

Univ. Kentucky

Abstract

There is renewed interest in flax or linseed, Linum usitatissimum L., due to the recognition of the importance of high omega (ω)-3 oils in healthy diets and interest in flax for renewable fiber. A study was carried out to determine the performance of different Flax cultivars in Kentucky for three years 2006, 2007 and 2008. Rahab94 was the tallest in 2006 and 2007 at 63.1 and 71.8 cm, whereas Linaza in 2008 was the tallest at 69.6 cm. There were large differences among the cultivars in yield. Carter had the highest yield in 2006 at 1,267 but only146 kg/h in 2007, while Omega had the highest yield in 2008 at 376 kg/ha. The major fatty acids in flax seeds ranged from 4.7 – 5.9% palmitic, 3.9 – 5.7% stearic, 19.3-28.4% oleic, 15 – 19.1% linoleic and 45.6 – 55.6% linolenic acids. The fatty acid profiles showed some interesting differences. Linolenic acid for the Carter showed significant differences grown in ND vs. KY as did Rahab 94, whereas the linolenic acid levels for Omega were the same in the different locations.  In ND the Carter linolenic acid level was about 12.6 % higher than when it was grown in KY.  York produced in KY in 2008 was highest in linolenic acid at 48%. Maturation temperature differences might explain the fatty acid composition differences with seed produced in KY vs. ND. The highest yield of best preforming variety in Kentucky (Carter) was 1,267 kg/ha which is about only 75% of the production in the northern states; flax can be grown in Kentucky but without a very competitive yield.