Flax crop is a cool season herbaceous annual plant
crop with a short taproot system. Flaxseed is also called linseed. Flax or Flax
seed belongs to the genus of “Linum”. Mediterranean region is the primary centre of origin
of flax and from here it spread to other regions of the world. Flax seed or
Linseed is gaining popularity throughout the world due to its excellent health
benefits and commercial use. Basically this crop is grown for food, fiber and
oil. Mainly Flax is being used in text tile industries apart from using this as
food and oil. Some people can grow these plants for ornamental purpose as well.
There is a possibility of good profits in commercial cultivation of flaxseed as
they have good demand in domestic and international markets.
When it comes to flax plant description, usually a
flax plant grows about 3 to 4 ft. with slender stems. Flax plant flowers will
have 5 petals with diameter of 15 to 20 mm and the common colour of flax plant
flower is pale blue. The seeds from flax plant are in round shape and dry
capsule is about 5 to 8 mm in diameter and 4 to 6 mm long. Oil content of the
flaxseed is about 35 to 40%. The linseed oil cake is used as manure and cattle
feed. Flaxseeds
occur in two basic varieties: brown and yellow or golden. Canada is the largest
producer of flaxseed, producing nearly 30 % of the world’s total production.
The following talks about growing flax seeds from seed to harvest. Read more here.
