Effect of Tillage on Double-cropped Flax/Cotton Production and Fiber Properties

Abstract

There currently are no data on using reduced tillage for flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) production when double‐cropped after cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in the southeastern USA. This study evaluated how tillage and subsoiling influenced double‐cropped flax and cotton productivity and quality under conditions in the southeastern USA. An irrigated study on a loamy sand soil (Eunola loamy sand) was conducted beginning in spring 2001 through spring 2003. Treatments evaluated in both crops were subsoiling (subsoiled to 30‐cm or none) and tillage (chisel plow to 20‐cm plus disking, disking only, and no tillage). Standard fiber test methods were used to evaluate treatment effects on fiber properties. Subsoiling increased the cotton and flax yield. Cotton yields were not influenced by tillage treatment while flax dry plant matter yields were greater for chisel and disk treatments compared with the no‐tillage treatments. Fiber properties, cotton micronaire, fiber length, and fiber length uniformity, and flax fiber strength were impacted by tillage. Our results indicate that for this double‐crop system, no tillage with subsoiling is a viable practice for cotton but further research is needed to improve flax productivity with this management practice.

Impact of Tillage Intensity, NPK Fertilization and Weed Control on Seed Yield and Yield Components of Flaxin Newly ReclaimedLands

“…These findings were in accordance with those reported by Couture et al (2004) who found that zero tillage (ZT) produced shorter plants compared to minimum (RT) or conventional tillage (CT) and attributed to better seed bed preparation and seed placement in RT and CT compared to ZT. Foulk et al (2007) reported that CT produced dry plant matter yield compared to NT. The results also indicated the seed yield in NT system statistically matched than CT system, in the two seasons, in addition to other important yield components such as number of capsules per plant and 1000-seed weight (for oil production) and technical length (for fiber production).…”

Stacked crop rotations and cultural practices for canola and flax yield and quality

“…Due to high protein concentration, canola and flax residues after oil extraction serve as excellent protein meals for animals (Heard & Comstock, 1980; Johnston et al., 2002). The fiber from flax biomass is an important ingredient in specialty paper and textile industries (Foulk et al., 2007).…”