Flax: A Potential Biofuel Oilseed Crop for Texas.

Flax (Linum usitatissimum) is an oil seed crop re-evaluated in Texas due to the increased interest in biofuel production. The search for the most viable and economical biofuel feedstock has identified flax varieties with reasonable yield potential and oil content as a candidate crop for sustainable energy production in the U.S. Flax is grown in Texas as a winter crop, unlike areas of the U.S and Canada, which typically produce flax as a spring crop. The replicated field trials conducted in College Station, TX during two consecutive years (2008-2009 and 2009-2010), with 20 varieties revealed that significant production advantage can be achieved in South Texas with the appropriate genotypes and agronomic practices. During the growing season, the biotic stress from pests and diseases was minimal. The Texas selections showed relative cold tolerance compared to the North Dakota and Canadian varieties. The yields for different varieties for the crop year 2008-2009 ranged from 22 to 43 bu/ac with an average of 32 bu/acre. The oil content ranged from 36 to 42% (w/w) with an average of 40 %.  The yield results for 2009-2010 were not significantly different from 2008-2009 (α=0.05). The combined analysis for two test years (Pr>ChiSq=0.4174, α =0.05) indicated that the average and range of yields were consistent with the individual year results. However, Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) was slightly higher for combined analysis than the individual year results. Among all the tested varieties, ‘York' performed consistently well in both years with the highest average yield of 42 bu/ac. Flax in South Texas is less prone to abiotic and biotic stresses than other cultivated oil seed crops and has good yield potential and oil content.  These traits make flax a potential oilseed candidate for the biofuel industry in Texas.