Linseed (Linum usitatissimum). In India, it can be cultivated largely for seed meant for eliminating oil. The oil amount of the seed differs from 33-47%. Linseed lubricate is a superb drying lubricant used for processing paints as well as varnishes, oil cloth, water-resistant fabric and even linoleum also like an edible lubricant in certain zones . Linseed-cake is certainly a fine manure as well as livestock feed. Linseed can be used for making papers and also plastics.

Does best on deep clayey black soils, clay loams. It grows well in areas where there is high rainfall. Soil pH (5.0-7.0).

LC 2063 (2007): This variety is suggested for irrigated areas. It have 158-160 days of maturity in rainfed and irrigated areas respectively. It have blue and profuse capsule bearing flowers. Its seeds are medium sized and contain 38.4% oil. This variety is resistant to powdery mildew. Its average yield is 4-5 qtl per acre.

LC 2023 (1998): This variety is suggested in irrigated as well as rain fed areas. It is tall with blue colored flower and its seed contain 37.5% oil and yield 4.5 q/acre. It matures in 155-165 days. It is resistant to powdery mildew.

Other States variety

Surbhi (KL-1): It is best yielding variety whic has resistant to rust, lodging as well as powdery mildew and drought. It matures in 165-170 days and contain 44% oil. Its average yield is 3-6 qtl/acre.

Jeevan (DPL-21): It is a dual purpose variety. It is tall with average height of 75 cm and 85 cm. The seed is brown colored, medium in size and flowers are blue colored. It matures in 175-181 days. It is resistant to wilt, rust and powdery mildew and yield is 6 qtl of seed.

Pusa-3, LC-185, LC-54, Sheela (LCK- 9211), K2

Area needs to be ploughed two to three times along with two to three harrowing to get an excellent tilth. To sustain moisture, it is best to generate soil mulch by using a hoe.

Time of sowing
The time of sowing varies from first fortnight of October to mid-November in different states. Rainfed crop requires early sowing. Early sowing also helps the crop to escape from powdery mildew, rust disease.

Spacing
Use row to row spacing of 23 cm and plant to plant spacing of 7-10 cm.

Sowing depth
Depth of sowing should be 4-5 cm

Method of sowing
Linseed is usually sown by broadcasting or by drilling in rows.
 

Seed rate
For sowing one acre, seed rate of 15 kg is required.

Seed treatment
Seed can be treat with any fungicide like bavastin, thiram 2 gm/kg seed.
 

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

25 kg of N (55 kg of urea) as well as 16 kg P2O5 (100 kg superphosphate) per acre at sowing. Under irrigated conditions, half dose of N with full amount of P should be applied as basal dose at time of sowing. The remaining N is applied with the first irrigation 35 days after sowing.

Weeds are controlled by herbicides. The important weeds of linseed include Anagallisarvensis, Viciahirsuta, Fumariaparviflora, Melilotus spp., Chenopodium album, Phalaris minor etc. Spray isoproturon 75 WP @ 500 gm/acre in 200 litres of water either before or after 1^st irrigation or pre-emergence within 2 days of sowing.

Irrigation is necessary after sowing seed as well as when flowers are turning into seeds. The frequency of irrigation depends on climatic condition and type of soil.

• Pest and their control:
  

Lucerne caterpillar: It causes damage to leave as well as to pods.

Control: Spray 600-800 gm of sevin/Hexavin 50 WP (carbaryl) or 400 ml of malathion 50 EC in 80-100 Ltr of water/acre.

• Disease and their control:
  

Rust: It is like pink spot on leave surface, pods and stems.
Control: spray with sulphur @7 kg/acre or Indofil Z-78 @500 gm in 150 ltr of water.

Wilt: Young crops are more prone to this disease. Crops firstly turn yellow and then die.
Control: Cultivate the varieties which can tolerate this disease.

Crop is ready for harvesting when the bolls turn completely brown. They are harvested in April.

After harvesting, pack the plants and place it on threshing area for 4-5 days for drying. Threshing is conducted by beating the crop with sticks or even trampling by bullocks.

1.Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana

2.Department of Agriculture

3.Indian Agricultural Research Instittute, New Delhi

4.Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research

5.Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare