Linseed Case Study

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SCENARIO OF LINSEED (FLAX) IN PAKISTAN:-

Linseed is a long day plant and it is cultivated in 34 countries of the world. It is one of the major agro-industrial oilseed crops. As a seed crop, it can be grown at high altitude ranging from 1000-3000 feet. Being a cool season crop it requires moderate to cool temperature.
In Pakistan, linseed is grown on marginal and sub-marginal lands under irrigated as well as rain fed conditions of Punjab and Sindh provinces with 1340 and 4092 ha (2008-09) respectively. In Punjab, it is cultivated mainly in districts of Faisalabad, TT Singh, Gujarat, MB Din, Sargodha, Narowal, Sahiwal, Layyah, Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar. Whereas in Sindh, it is grown in Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Larkana and Dadu districts. Its national average yield during 2008-09 was 673 kg/ha.

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF LINSEED:-

Linseed is grown in temperate as well as in tropical regions. In Pakistan the area under linseed has remained static (9000-9500 hectares) for the past fifteen years. Punjab (47%) Sindh (53%) are the major growing provinces of linseed in Pakistan.
Linseed is grown for oil and fiber. Linseed oil is used in the manufacture of paints and varnishes and oilcloth and linoleum. Its oilcake is used as cattle feed as well as it is also used as manure. A good quality fiber is extracted from the straw and is used in the manufacture of canvas, cloth and water resistant pipes. The material remaining after the extraction of fiber can be pulped for the use in the manufacture of paper and strawboard.
ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF LINSEED:-
Center of origin of linseed is the Mediterranean region, where Linium angustifolium grows wild and crosses readily with cultivated linseed. It is one of the earliest plants, domesticated for...

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...-5 irrigations, the first 30 days after sowing and the subsequent at intervals of 20-25 days depending on temperature and soil moisture. In Punjab, three to four irrigations are needed, the first 15-20 days after planting and the subsequent as and when needed depending upon temperature and soil moisture.
HARVESTING, THRESHING AND STORAGE:-
The crop is harvested when the plants turn golden-yellow, the leaves dry, and the capsules become brown and the seeds shiny. If fiber is also desired, the crop is harvested at the stage of capsule maturity when the crop is still green. In Sindh, the crop is harvested at the end of April and in the Punjab during the first week of May. The harvested crop is threshed either by bullocks or by beating it with sticks. After separation, the seeds are dried in the sun and then stored.

NAMES OF CULTIVARS OF LINSEED:-
Chandani, LS-49

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