Oilseed flax: a valuable diversification crop to be developed in its entirety
Oilseed flax: a valuable diversification crop to be developed in its entirety
A symposium dedicated to oilseed flax was held yesterday, with the focus on the development of by-products from this valuable diversification crop. The first part of the conference was devoted to weed control, with a presentation by Terres Inovia's oilseed flax consultant.
Yesterday, the Fédération des producteurs d'oléoprotéagineux (FOP) hosted a dedicated conference for players in the oilseed flax sector, organised by Linéa Semences and Lin 2000. The half-day event focused on two themes: the first on economic and technical aspects; the second on the use of crop by-products (mainly flax straw).
Gilles Robillard, Chairman of Terres Inovia, introduced the session by outlining the main areas of work being carried out by the technical institute on oilseed flax. He recalled the agronomic qualities of this "crop of major interest": diversification of agronomic practices to reduce pest pressure and limit inputs, particularly for weed control.
Gilles Robillard, chairman of Terres Inovia.
It was this last point that Zoé Le Bihan, oilseed flax referent at Terres Inovia, developed in presenting the challenges and prospects for weed management in oilseed flax. "We're seeing a real change in the weed flora of arable crops, with an increase in grasses, including ryegrass. The suspected causes are: the simplification of production systems, the withdrawal of certain active substances and the development of resistance. In this context, Terres Inovia is faced with a threefold challenge: to maintain approved active molecules; to identify and evaluate other chemical solutions; and to develop alternative weed control solutions". The best way of managing weeds is to combine agronomic levers.
Zoé Le Bihan, oilseed flax consultant at Terres Inovia.
Flax, which is highly susceptible to septoria, is the subject of a project aimed at resolving this problem through varietal selection. (Linicolin).
Contact : Zoé Le Bihan, z.lebihan@terresinovia.fr