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News: Flaxseeds are highlighted for their benefits in reducing joint pain, improving body warmth, and enhancing health during harsh winter conditions.
About Flaxseeds Cultivation in India
- Flaxseeds are also known as Linseed, Alsi, or Tisi.
- Season: In India, Flaxseeds are primarily grown as a Rabi (winter) crop.
- Scientific Name: The scientific name of flaxseed is Linum usitatissimum L., belonging to family Linaceae and genus Linum.
- Geographical & Climatic Requirements:
- Climate: Flaxseed requires a temperate and cool climate for proper growth.
- Temperature: Minimum temperature is 10°C and maximum is 38°C, with 25–30°C needed for germination and 15–20°C for seed formation.
- Rainfall: An annual rainfall of 700–750 mm is optimal, while 450–500 mm is also sufficient if well distributed.
- Soil: It grows best in well-drained, fertile soils such as silty loam, clay loam, and silty clays.
- Cultivation Practices:
- Sowing Time: The crop is sown during October to November as a rabi season crop depending on soil moisture.
- Harvesting: The crop matures in 120–140 days depending on the variety.
- Key Varieties: Important varieties include K-2, T-397, No.55, NP (RR) 9, S-4, Jawahar-17, Hira, Mukta, and Neelum.
- Major Producing States: Major producing states include Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Assam.
- Importance
- Nutritional: It is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, especially alpha-linolenic acid, which supports heart health and reduces inflammation.
- Economic: It provides dual benefits of oil and fibre, offering additional income and supporting sustainable agriculture.
- Significant: Flaxseed plays an important role in crop rotation, soil health improvement, and provides a low-input, environmentally sustainable farming option.
