Today we are going to give you detailed information related to linseed crop. It is the sixth largest oilseed crop in the world. Seeing the benefits of flaxseed, the interest of farmers towards its cultivation is continuously increasing. Linseed is an important Rabi oilseed crop in India as well as a major source of oil and fiber. Linseed is cultivated in approximately 2.96 lakh hectares of land in India, which is 15 percent of the total area of the world. In terms of linseed area, India ranks second in the world. At the same time, it ranks third in production and eighth in yield per hectare. For your information, let us tell you that this is the most important industrial oilseed crop of India. Its production also varies depending on different varieties of flaxseed. From this crop, 10 to 15 quintal production can be achieved per hectare of field. Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra are the major flax producing states. In India, flaxseed is mainly produced in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Bihar. Every part of flaxseed can be used in different forms, directly and indirectly. The oil extracted from flax seeds is not generally used as food. It is used in manufacturing medicines.
Selection of land for linseed cultivation
If you have decided to cultivate linseed, then first of all you will have to select the field i.e. land before sowing linseed. Please note that before sowing flaxseed, get the soil and water of your field tested. Black loamy soil is considered suitable for the cultivation of linseed. This soil is more fertile. Also, while preparing the land, keep in mind that the land has an excellent drainage system. This will also provide great convenience in irrigating the crops. Besides, crop production will also increase significantly.
Suitable climate for flax cultivation
Land with normal pH value is considered suitable for flaxseed. Cultivation of flaxseed requires a cold and dry climate. Linseed is cultivated mostly in the Rabi season in India. During this period the annual rainfall is between 50 to 55 centimeters. There, flaxseed can be cultivated successfully. For better germination of flaxseed, the temperature should be 25 to 30 degree centigrade and during seed formation the temperature should be 15 to 20 degree centigrade. Linseed requires high temperature, low humidity and dry environment at mature stage. Meaning that temperate climate is considered suitable for its cultivation.
When is linseed sown
Farmers are advised to sow flax seeds in November in irrigated areas and in the first fortnight of October in non-irrigated areas. Apart from this, for Utera cultivation, sowing should be done 7 days before harvesting of paddy. Let us tell you that the Utera method is prevalent in the areas where paddy is grown. Linseed is sown in paddy fields with the aim of making proper use of moisture in paddy cultivation. In Utera method, linseed seeds are scattered in the field 7 days before harvesting the paddy crop. Due to this, flaxseed germinates even before the paddy is harvested. This has the advantage that the linseed crop gets ripe only due to the accumulated moisture. By sowing early, linseed crops can be protected from pod fly and powdery mildew etc.
Also read: All information related to paddy crop
Major improved varieties of linseed
Improved varieties of flaxseed are developed through agricultural research. Linseedi species have been divided into two parts, for non-irrigated areas and for irrigated areas, which are grown for higher production and to suit the climate. For irrigated areas – Suyog, JLS- 23, Pusa- 2, PKDL- 41, T- 397 etc. are the main varieties. These varieties have been developed for irrigated areas. These varieties can be grown in almost both the areas. If we talk about their production, it can be 13 to 15 quintals per hectare. For non-irrigated areas - Sheetal, Rashmi, Bharda, Indira Linseed- 32, JLS- 67, JLS- 66, JLS- 73 etc. are the main varieties. These varieties have been designed for cultivation in non-irrigated areas. The average height of the plants grown in these varieties is up to 2 feet. Also, the yield can be 12 to 15 quintals per hectare. Apart from the above mentioned varieties, there are many other improved varieties of flaxseed. Like - PKDL 42, Jawahar Alsi DR 552, J. l. S. - 27, LG 185, J. l. S. - 67, PKDL 41, Jawahar Alsi - 7, RL - 933, RL 914, Jawahar 23, Pusa 2 etc.
How to do seed treatment?
Linseed is sown in two ways. Seeds can be sown first through the drill method and second through the sprinkling method. For sowing of linseed through the drill method, seeds are required at the rate of 25 to 30 kg per hectare. In this method, the distance between row to row should be 30 cm and the distance from plant to plant should be kept 5 to 7 cm. The seeds should be sown in the ground at a depth of 2 to 3 centimeters. For Utera method, the rate of 40 to 45 kg seeds per hectare is considered good for sowing linseed. Before sowing, seeds should be treated with Carbendazim at the rate of 2.5 to 3 grams per kilogram of seed. Or the seeds should be sown after treating them with 5 grams of Trichoderma viride or 5 grams of Trichoderma harzianum and 2 grams of carboxin.
Also read: linseed cultivation can help financially
Field preparation for flax cultivation
For seed germination and proper crop growth in linseed cultivation, it is necessary that the field be prepared better before sowing. After harvesting, the land should be prepared by sprinkling 8 to 10 tonnes of rotted cow dung manure in the field per hectare and plowing it 2 to 3 times with a local soil turning plow or harrow. After this, the field should be leveled by hoeing, so that the moisture in the soil remains intact.
How to add fertilizer to your field?
While preparing the land for linseed cultivation, apply cow dung manure at the rate of 8 to 10 tonnes per hectare by mixing it well in the soil during the last plowing. Along with this, for irrigated areas, use nitrogen at the rate of 100 kg, phosphorus at the rate of 75 kg per hectare. To get the best yield for non-irrigated areas, use Nitrogen at 50 kg. Phosphorus 40 kg. And 40 kg. potash. In non-irrigated condition, the entire amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash and in irrigated condition, half the amount of nitrogen and the entire amount of phosphorus is applied 2-3 cm deep through a cloth at the time of sowing. Use below. In irrigated conditions, the remaining half quantity of nitrogen should be applied as top dressing after the first irrigation.
How can farmers protect their linseed crops from diseases and pests?
In the cultivation of linseed, Alternaria blight, rust or ocher, uktha and bukni diseases occur. To prevent these diseases, spray Mancozeb in the crop at the rate of 2.5 kg per hectare 40 to 50 days after sowing. Spraying should be done at an interval of every 15 days, so that the disease does not occur. To prevent rust or ochre, soluble sulfur should be sprayed at the rate of 3 kg per hectare.
Also read: Helpline number for crop disease and pest infections
The linseed crop is infested by various types of insects like pod fly, caterpillar etc. Its adult insects are like small flies of dark orange color. These insects lay their eggs in the petals of flowers, due to which the flowers are unable to produce seeds in the plant. This insect affects production up to 70 percent. To prevent this, Monocrotophos 36 EC, 750 ml or Quinalphos 1.5 liters should be mixed in 900 to 1000 liters of water and sprayed per hectare.
How is linseed oil used in different ways?
Linseed is one of the important industrial oilseed crops of India. In India, linseed crop is produced for commercial purposes. It is cultivated as a fiber crop. The amount of oil in flax seeds is very high. But, its oil is not used for food but for making medicines. Apart from preparing varnishes, lubricants, paints, its oil is also used in preparing inks and ink pads for printing presses. M.P. In the Bundelkhand region of India, its oil is used for cooking, making soap and lighting lamps. Flax seeds are used as a poultice in boils and pimples. High quality fiber is obtained from flax stems. Besides, linen is also manufactured from fiber. Linseed cake is used as animal feed for milk-yielding animals. At the same time, due to the sufficient quantity of various plant nutrients in the cake cake, it is used as fertilizer.
Consuming flaxseed provides relief in many diseases.
Consuming flaxseed is very beneficial for health. Its seeds and its oil are beneficial in the prevention of many diseases. Linseed is the sixth largest oilseed crop in the world. It contains about 33 to 45 percent oil and 24 percent crude protein, making it a miraculous diet. Two essential fatty acids are found in it, alpha-linolenic acid and linolenic acid. If flaxseed is consumed regularly, many types of diseases like cancer, TB, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, constipation, joint pain etc. can be avoided. It increases the amount of good cholesterol in our body and is helpful in reducing the amount of triglyceride cholesterol. It prevents blood clots from forming in the arteries of our heart and also protects us from diseases like heart attack and stroke. It is antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antioxidant and anti-cancer. Flaxseed contains about 28 percent fiber and it proves to be very beneficial for constipation patients.
Things to keep in mind during harvesting
Linseed crop is ready about 100 to 120 days after sowing. It should be harvested only when the linseed crop is completely dry and ripe. Threshing should be done soon after harvesting the crop. This will not cause much harm to its seeds. When linseed crop is cultivated using the above method, the production of different varieties varies. In first seed purpose irrigated condition, 12 to 15 quintals per hectare and in non-irrigated condition, 10 to 12 quintals per hectare and in two-purpose cumulated and non-irrigated condition, 20 to 23 quintals per hectare and 13 to 17 percent oil and 38 to 45 percent fiber.
