Flax TIPS: Seeding Advice

Flax TIPS: Seeding Advice

Seeding Rate

For maximum yield, farmers should generally seed between 40 and 50 pounds/acre depending on seeding conditions.

• The optimum plant population is a minimum of 30 plants/ft².
• Plant stands above 40 plants/ft² do not necessarily increase yield and may actually predispose the crop to disease and lodging.
• Yellow seeded varieties should be seeded at a slightly higher seeding rate (approximately 10%), particularly if seed treatment is not used.
• Typical emergence for flax is approximately 50 – 60%.

For more information on calculating seeding rates, visit http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/production/seeding-by-plant-population.html

Seeding Depth

Ideally, flax should be sown into moist soil, 1.0 to 1.5 inches deep with row spacing 6 to 8 inches.

• Flax seedlings are weaker and shallow seeding depth is more critical for vigourous emergence, however, too shallow and seeds may be prone to drought.
• Soil crusting, which impacts flax seedlings more when sown deeper, may result in poor stands and reduced yield potential.

Seeding Date

Generally, flax in the southern and central prairies sown in early to mid-May results in maximum yield and minimal harvest challenges.In the central and northern prairies, it may be more appropriate to seed towards the middle to third week of May.Flax may be sown up to June 1 with reasonable yield expectations.Seeding after June 1 usually results in:

• Decreased yield.
• Taller crop more prone to lodging.
• Lower oil content and oil quality.
• Increased prevalence of green stems and secondary growth.
• Later maturity date which increases the chances of a difficult harvest.

Table 1: Yield potential (% compared to average) for crops in Manitoba seeded on specific week/month

Source: MASC Harvest Acreage Reports 2005-2013.

Frost Risk

• Emerging (cotyledon stage) plants can tolerate up to approximately -3° Celsius.
• Two leaf stage can tolerate up to approximately -8°C for a short time, if hardened first.

Quality Seed

Clean, disease-free seed with high germination and vigour is important to get the plant stand desired.

Use Certified Seed!

• Ensures genetic purity for desired variety traits, such as disease resistance, lodging tolerance and maturity.
• All current Canadian flax varieties are immune to rust, moderately resistant to Fusarium Wilt and Powdery Mildew. Refer to your current Seed Guide issue for current varieties and suppliers.

Seedbed Preparation

The ideal seedbed for flax is smooth, firm, moist and with previous crop residue uniformly spread for adequate soil to seed contact.

Quick Tip! The footprint of a work boot should be no deeper than the thickness of the sole (i.e. ¾ – 1 inch) when walking on a prepared seedbed.

Reduced Tillage

Flax has equal or better yields under reduced tillage (minimum or zero till) versus conventional tillage systems. This has been attributed to:

• Improved soil organic matter and soil moisture availability.
• Increased arbuscular mycorrhiza colonization and rooting capacity.
• Reduction of early weed emergence compared with conventional tillage systems.

Conventional Tillage

If spring tillage is required, shallow tillage is recommended in order to maintain a firm, moist seedbed. Deep tillage can reduce stand establishment by drying out the seedbed, therefore packing before or after seeding may be required.

Fertility

Soil tests should always provide the basis for fertilizer practices.

Placement

Side-banding or mid-row placement is the most effective method of fertilizer placement because:

• Flax is very sensitive to seed-placed fertilizer and even low rates may cause seedling injury.
• Research has also shown that P-K-S in a single band did not negatively influence the response to nitrogen.

Rates

For information on fertilizer rates, visit https://archive.flaxcouncil.ca/tips_article/fertility-requirements-for-flax/

Equipment Check

• It is always a good idea to check over your drill for cracks or plugs in hoses and runs.
• Check your fan speed; too high may crack or crush flax seed which will lower emergence rates.
• Reductions in plant stand and seedling vigour will occur if seed coats are cracked, split, shriveled, weathered, frozen, or diseased.

Canola Council of Canada has a great checklist for equipment at seeding, visit http://www.canolacouncil.org/canola-encyclopedia/crop-establishment/equipment-management/

To ensure adequate plant stands consider the use of seed treatment, to reduce that impact of diseases such as seed rot, root rot and seedling blights caused by Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium species.

See your Provincial Crop Protection Guide for current products and rates. http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/guides-and-publications/pubs/crop-protection-guide-disease.pdf

Pre-plant & Pre-emergent Herbicides

Pre-plant or pre-emergent herbicides are a great weed control tool for flax growers.Applying herbicide Group 3, 8 or 14 products alone or tank mixing with glyphosate can provide up to six weeks of weed control, allowing flax to get a head start on weeds.

For successful use of these products, considerations include:

• As pH and % organic matter changes the rate of product applied, ensure you know your soil type. This can be done with a soil test.
• Scout weeds in your field to ensure the appropriate product is used for the weed spectrum.
• Rainfall is needed for activation, so make sure to apply herbicides before spring rains stop. This may mean splitting application for glyphosate and residual herbicides.
• Trifluralin (Fortress®, Treflan®) products if used, should be applied in fall as spring applications have been known to cause abnormal seeding development which may reduce emergence.

Re-Cropping Restriction with Residual Herbicide

Flax is sensitive to many herbicides, so prior to choosing land for flax production, herbicide residue history should be reviewed.If the specific herbicide history is unknown, it is possible to send soil samples to an accredited lab for residue analysis.

More information on potential residue concerns may be published, so always check with the marketing company and your provincial Guide to Crop Protection.

The following table from the Manitoba Guide to Crop Protection, indicates herbicides to watch if used in years or months previous to flax.