Flax Growth and Yield under Variable Nitrogen and Plant Density in Alluvial Soils

Md. Hossain and Houda Rabeh

Background and Objective: Appropriate nitrogen (N) fertilizer rate and plant density are important keys for optimizing flax fibers and seeds productivity. Therefore, this study aimed to determine how varying rates of N fertilizer and plant densities affect the productivity of different flax cultivars. Materials and Methods: Split-split plot field experiments with four replicates; three N fertilizer rates (67.5, 90 and 112.5 kg N/ha), three plant densities (1000, 1500 and 2000 seeds/m²) and three cultivars (Giza12, Sakha3 and Lisette) were examined. Data were statistically analyzed using MSTAT-C software, and treatment means were compared using the LSD test at 5% significance level Results: Increasing N fertilizer rates and plant densities resulted in significant positive correlation with plant height, technical length, fiber length, seed oil, straw yield/ha. A negative significant correlation between plant densities and each primary branches, capsules/plant and seeds yield/plant. The superiority of Giza12 in capsules/plant (16.05), seed oil (38.62%), and seed yield (2.01 t/ha); Sakha3 in seeds/ capsule (7.71) and fiber length (64.11 cm); Lisette stands out in fiber% (31.31%) and fiber yield (2.43 t/ha). The interaction of N rates, densities and cultivars showed that N at 112.5 kg N/ha with 2000 seeds/m² achieved the highest yield/ha of seed, oil and straw for Giza12 while, fiber yield/ha for Lisette. Conclusion: Following research findings, 112.5 kg N/ha with a density of 2000 seed/m² is suitable for increasing the flax seeds and fiber production in alluvial soil conditions. This helps flax plant growers increase their productivity and generate more revenue.

View Fulltext Back