Selection Criteria for Short-fibre Flax

The industrial utilization of short fibres of Linum usitatissimum L. is advantageous for the environment and conserves natural resources due to savings in the production and waste management process. In 1990 a project was started to breed flax for short fibres in combination with oil production. In field experiments 22 (1990) and 20 (1991) varieties and progenies of earlier crosses, respectively, were tested. Phenotypic variation and linear correlations of parameters characterizing yield and its stability were examined with regard to their suitability as selection criteria. The results were as follows: A total harvest of 3 t/ha of short fibre and oil was produced, most of it fibre. The cross progenies tested in 1991 showed a high genetic potential for the combined use of fibre and oil, but their maturity needs to be synchronized better. Simultaneous selection of short-fibre flax genotypes for fibre content and seed yield on the one hand, or for oil content and fibre yield on the other, seems to be practicable. The plants should not exceed I m in height. Thousand-seed weight and oil content were not correlated in the progenies, thus making it possible to select for small-seeded genotypes.