Main research questionThis Interregproject is about a pathogen on flax: Verticillium. The cultivation of flax in northern France and Flanders is responsible for up to 80% of the worldwide production of high quality flax fibers. Flax is also a crop with a high additional value. De fungal disease Verticillium can result in significant yield loss.
Development of a sustainable control strategy for pathogens on flax
Flax cultivation gets monitoring tool based on satellite imagery
Inagro, ILVO and VITO are working together on a future-oriented monitoring tool for flax growers. This tool will provide remote information about the crop condition of their flax and advice about the optimal sowing time, possible re-sowing and use of inhibitors for a homogeneous crop growth.
From residual stream to raw material: FLAXIT project valorizes flax seed
The FLAXIT project from VITO offers flax growers and processors the opportunity to optimize the value of their flax seed.
Main research questionThe worldwide growing demand for flax fibers has resulted in a marked increase in flax acreage in Flanders and Europe. For every ton of long flax fibers, 0.7 tons of linseed is produced in Belgium, which is considered a by-product, of which 30-40% is oil used mainly for lower-end technical applications.
The aim of this project is to create added value to these alternative growth media by adding biological control fungi to add disease- and/or pest-suppressive properties.Research approachFirst, three types of plant fibers (flax shives, reed straw, miscanthus straw) are pre-treated to enable their successful inoculation with biological control fungi.
ChicoryDry beansEdamameCalendula 2020 / 2017Chickpea(Grass)/CloverLentilsAlfalfaMiscanthusOil pumpkinRussian dandelionSoy 2020 / 2017Sorghum(grain) (fodder)Quinoa 2020 / 2017Field beanFlax
Promising strategies were the reduction of crude protein content, multiphase feeding as well as the use of flax straw. With regard to simplified measurement techniques, the results using the less expensive sensors are very valuable for further optimization and implementation. FinancingVLAIO