Oil flax was cropped in Switzerland in former times but seldom today. To investigate
new varieties with respect to their agronomic performance and suitability for the
production of cold-pressed oil, 15 varieties of spring flax were tested in the years
2005-2007 at one site. They were sown in small plots with four replicates and
managed according the rules of Swiss organic farming.
Averaged over the years, seed yield of the varieties ranged from 1.4 - 1.9 t/ha.
Pressure of pests and diseases were generally low and weeds were controlled
successfully by mechanical means. In order to recommend flax varieties for the
production of oil, oil quality aspects need to be considered and investigated carefully
