ARS | Publication request: EFFECT OF TWO GROWTH REGULATORS ON YIELD AND FIBER QUALITY AND QUANTITY IN FLAX (LINUM USITATISSIMUM L.)

Submitted to: Plant Growth Regulation Society of America Quarterly
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: September 26, 2005
Publication Date: November 30, 2005
Citation: Ayala Silva, T., Akin, D.E., Foulk, J.A., Dodd, R.B. 2005. Effect of two growth regulators on yield and fiber quality and quantity in flax (linum usitatissimum l.). Plant Growth Regulation Society of America Quarterly. 33:90-100.

Interpretive Summary: Gibberellic acid (GA3) at 125 and 250 mg/L and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) at 1.0 and 3.0 mg/L were sprayed over the canopy to determine their influence on fine-fiber yield and quality. Gibberellic acid treatment increased fine fiber yield by 13-14%, and improved fiber fineness by 12-16%. In addition, GA3 decreased chlorophyll content, stem diameter, flowering and boll production. IAA increased fine fiber yield, chlorophyll content, and stem diameter, but decreased fiber strength, fineness and stem. This research showed that the application of PGRs such as GA3 and IAA to flax may increase the yield and quality of flax.

Technical Abstract: Gibberellic acid (GA3) at 125 and 250 mg/L and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) at 1.0 and 3.0 mg/L were applied as sprays over the flax canopy to determine their influence on fine-fiber yield, stem length, stem diameter, and fiber quality. GA3 treatments increased fine fiber yield by 13-14% on ‘Hermes’ and 16-32% on ‘Opaline’. GA3 application at 250 mg/L improved fiber fineness by 12 and 17% on ‘Hermes’ and ‘Opaline’, respectively. GA3 decreased chlorophyll content, stem diameter, flowering and boll production. IAA increased fine fiber yield, strength, chlorophyll content and stem diameter. Application of IAA at 1 and 3 mg/L resulted in an increase on fiber yield of 11-15% on ‘Opaline’ and 21-25% on ‘Hermes’, respectively, however, application of IAA showed a decreased on fiber fineness (4-8% on ‘Hermes’ and 4% on ‘Opaline’) and stem height. This research showed that the application of PGRs such as GA3 and IAA to flax could increase the yield of flax and achieve finer, stronger fiber.