Linseed harvesting

LINSEED (Flax), Lint semen is harvested from Linum usitatissimum L., family Linaceae. The plant has been cultivated for centuries in Europe for textile purposes. In the epidermis of the seed coat there is 3-6% mucilage consisting of galacturonic acid, galactose, rhamnose, and arabinose, mannuronic acid. Linseed is cheap and simple to use as a laxative 1 spoon of linseed is allowed to swell overnight in a cup of water, and next morning the contents of the cup are swallowed. Its value has been demonstrated in two studies of patients with constipation. 

Linseed flax or common flax is an annual, 25-100 cm in height. There are two distinct strains of flax linseed flax giving high yields of seed (oil content 35-44%) and linen flax grown for its fibre. It is a subtropical or warm temperature crop and is harvested either manually or by combined harvester. It is grown principally in Argentina, India, USSR, the USA and Canada. 

The harvest index of wheat has been substantially increased by the breeding of semi-dwarf varieties, and a closely related trait, improved resistance to lodging, has resulted in improvements both to yield and crop quality. Improved yields have been an important trait in all of the other major crops. In some cases improvements have been obtained by plant breeders selecting for winter hardy types which can be autumn sown. Oilseed rape is an important example, others, less successful, have included linseed, peas and lupins. 

Abstract This chapter opens with an introduction to the concept of world markets for oilseeds and proteins and how this affects farmers decisions to grow break crops. It then tackles the agronomy of the main combinable break crops including oilseed rape, linseed, field peas and field beans. It briefly covers more esoteric crops such as flax, lupins, navy beans and sunflowers. Each crop is dealt with by describing the variety choice, tire establishment, crop nutrition, crop protection, and harvesting and storage, as well as a brief discussion of their markets and quality aspects requited. 

The seed must be carefully dried to about 8% moismre content for safe storage. It is harvested in late August/early September at about 12% moisture. Linseed is a... 

The growing of the crop is similar to linseed but in the UK the crop rrray be harvested early by mowing or later, after desiccation, by combine therefore also obtaining some seed. After cutting it is important for the crop to ret which is a rratural process which resirlts in the woody part of the stem being easily removed. This retting in the field is very important and in-field conditioners are available to speed up the process. 

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