Tuesday, November 6, 2007
164-8

Performance of Flax Varieties in an Organic Cropping System.

Michael Davis, Cornell University, 691 Sunset Drive, Willsboro, NY 12996

Flax variety trials were conducted on certified organic fields at the Cornell University E.V. Baker Research Farm in Willsboro, NY in 2006 and 2007. The objectives were to test organic cropping system strategies for flax production in the Northeast, and evaluate the performance of flax varieties grown organically. Plots were located on a Rhinebeck clay loam soil with tile drainage, and received 3 tons per acre composted chicken manure (NPK 2-2-1.5) prior to planting. Flax followed sweet corn in the rotation. Weed control consisted of a late season fallow period, and an early season stale seedbed. No cultivations were conducted after seeding. Weed control was excellent in 2006. One golden seeded variety and four brown seeded flax varieties were grown in 10' x 30' plots. A randomized complete block design with six replications was employed. In 2006, yields ranged from 636 lbs/acre to 738 lbs/acre with a trial mean of 672.3 lbs/acre. Yields were comparable to those reported for the same varieties grown conventionally in the Midwest, indicating that these varieties may be well suited to Northeast growing conditions, and that they can perform well in an organically managed cropping system.