Fabulous Flax
From
Father of Medicine to Future Fuel
Flaxseed (Linum usitatissiumum) also
known as linseed, is thought to be one of the world’s oldest cultivated crops
with evidence of cultivation dating back thousands of years. The crop is prized
for its fibre and oil. The fibre, obtained from the stocks of the plant, is
used to make fine linen and paper. The oil is used primarily for industrial
purposes. The oil is probably best known for its function in the production
of paints and floor covering
(linoleum). The by-product remaining after oil extraction – flaxseed meal or
linseed meal – is a source of protein used in livestock feeds, especially in
the rations of ruminant animals. The seed is also used in livestock production
for its medicinal properties, in particular for its functions as a laxative as
well as for improving skin and hair quality.
CJP is dedicated to the development
of oil seed bearing trees - non-food multiple vegetable oil plantation and
technologies in order to reduce Dependence on fossil fuels, bring greater
control and security of fuel supply and reduce dangerous climate changing
emissions, including CO2. With years of continuing research, experiments and
trials has provided an adage to find and develop 2nd generation biodiesel
feedstock with low cost input technology. After having a number of successful
field trials CJP has honor to establish Flax - another potential feedstock for
Bio- Diesel industry of future because it could serve as fodder and an oil
source for biodiesel.
The superpowers of flaxseeds
Flaxseeds are very high in fibre.
Most people think fibre is important for regulating bowel movements but that's
just one of the many ways fibre improves your health. Fibre also combines with
healthy bacteria in your intestines to provide an important fuel for the cells
that line your colon. Fibre also binds to cholesterol, ensuring it doesn't get
reabsorbed into your blood. If you have high blood cholesterol, be sure to
consider adding foods high in fibre to your diet.
Freshly ground flaxseeds and flaxseed
oil are a rich source of essential Polyunsaturated Omega 3 fatty acids. These
fatty acids are very unstable. They are one of the first nutrients to be
destroyed when foods are processed or sit on supermarket shelves for long
periods. Unfortunately, because our food supply has become so industrialized,
these important nutrients are deficient in most diets. Omega-3 fatty acids are
important because they decrease inflammation in the body, improve
cardiovascular function and improve the functioning of every cell in our body
by making their outer membranes more flexible.
Studies have shown that flaxseeds are
protective against bone loss, breast cancer and some menopausal symptoms. A
recent study also indicated flaxseeds are beneficial for men too. Men who ate
ground flaxseed while awaiting surgery for prostate cancer had slower growing
tumors then men who ate no flaxseeds.
Flax is a cool temperate annual herb
with erect, slender stems, 80-120 cm tall. A cultivated plant in closely spaced
field conditions it has little branching except at the apex. Flax is native to
the region extending from the eastern Mediterranean to India. It was
extensively cultivated in ancient Egypt. Flax is grown both for its seed and
for its fibers. Interestingly, the species name usitatissimum means, most
useful. Various parts of the plant have been used to make fabric, dye, paper,
medicines, fishing nets and soap.
In India flax has been under
cultivation from pre-historic times. Flax fiber is the earliest vegetable fiber
used by man. about 1.6 m ha is
under flax cultivation and about 0.4 m mt of seed is produced annually. The
plant yields oil of commercial importance. Flax has excellent potential for
by-product development, and it has a high level of oil. The seed contains +40%
linseed oil which is a good source of biodiesel. Flax is a viable alternative
oilseed for use in the biodiesel industry, although the inherent instability of
the oil due to the high linolenic acid content is problematic. Modifications to
the fatty acid profile and increased yield would make it an ideal candidate for
use within the biodiesel industry.
In recent years there has been much interest in developing new
oilseed crops which could be used in food, and for medicinal and industrial
purposes. Flax Seeds are rich in oil and protein and can be utilized on
an industrial scale; such oil composition resembles safflower oil. Considering Flax’s potential as an
oilseed feedstock for biodiesel CJP has honor to establish this untapped
resource as alternative source for Bio- Diesel industry of future.
About Flax
Botanical Name: Linum usitatissimum L.
Family: Linaceae
Vernacular:English-Linseed, Flax;Sanskrit-Atasi,Ooma:
One heavily branched fine stem
•
Averages 24-36” tall
•
Tap root up to 40” long
•
Lanceloate leaves
–
Deep green
–
Slender
Botany of
the Plant
Annual: stem-cylindric, erect,
simple below, 0.6-1.2 m, often solitary corymbosely branched above: leaves narrow
sub-3-nerved, linear or lanceolate without stipular glands: flowers 2.5cm
diam, in broad cymes: sepals ovate, acuminate, 3-nerved, eglandular,
margins ciliate or not, petals blue, styles quite free: stigmas linear-clavate:
fruit---is a rounded capsule about one –fourth inch or more in diam,
surrounded by the persistant sepals. It possesses 10 locules, each with one
seed. The seed is oval, lenticular, and pointed at one end. Its length
varies between 4 and 6 mm. and breadth between 2 and 3 mm. Each capsule
contains ten seeds.
Habitat
Common flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)
was one of the first crops domesticated by man. Flax originated in India, and
from its hardiness and usefulness, is generally diffused over the globe.
Ancient centers of flax-growing are mountainous areas of India and China, In
India flax was cultivated as a fiber crop earlier than cotton. As early as in
the 4th or 5th millennium B.C. flax was cultivated for its fiber in
Mesopotamia, Assyria and Egypt. Wild narrow-leaved flax and semi-cultured
procumbent flaxes grow in Transcaucasia. Many monuments of Ancient Egypt
reflect cultivation of flax and spinning and weaving of its fibers. In Russia
flax has been cultivated since the birth of the Russian nation
Growing countries
The significant linseed producing
countries are Canada ~34% and China ~25.5%, though there is also production in
India ~9%, USA ~8%, and Ethiopia ~3.5% and throughout Europe.
Climate
Flax requires a temperate, moist
climate and good soil to flourish. The quality of flax produced is considerably
influenced by the weather conditions during its growth. Flax does adapt itself
to different climatic conditions, soils and environment and will grow in any
humid climate. For proper cultivation of flax a temperate and equable climate,
free from heavy rains and frost is desirable, though frequent moist winds
during the growing season are advantageous. In the growing area the minimum
temperature during the growing season is about 100 C and maximum temperature is
about 380 C. A relative humidity of 60 to 70 per cent at midday is stated to be
best for flax, and with this humidity about 6 to 8 inches of rain spread evenly
over the three growing months is considered ideal.
SOIL
Flax is not, as some suppose,
confined to a narrow range of soil. On the contrary, good crops may be grown on
almost any soil that is new to it. The soil which by common consent is voted to
be the best adapted to flax culture is a sound, dry, deep, friable loam; a soil
of the greatest possible variety of ingredients.
Nearly all moderately fertile Boils
will produce flax, but a clay loam, the loam predominating, is the very best
soil, as that gives the largest quantity, and the best quality of fibre or
" Seeds,"
A sandy loam and clear loam are the
next best, sand .Flax likes a deep, fertile, and mellow loam, and on such a
soil a heavy crop of both seed and lint may be produced, provided there be not
an excess of water in the soil.
Cultivation &
Management of
FLAX
CROP
For
Oil, For Fibre, For both
CULTIVATION TECHNOLOGY
The productive cultivation of Flax needs to be scientifically managed
for better growth and production. The growth and yield of the plant could be
improved through effective management practices. The enhanced cultivation
technology and improved inputs developed by CJP may provide plenty of biodiesel
without displacing food crop and without utilizing prime food land in terms of
sustainable farming techniques
The key factors that can influence the oil yield of Flax are:
- Climate
- Quality of the
soil
- VAM INOCULATION
- Irrigation
- Weeding
- Pruning
- Use of
fertilizer
- Crop density
- High-quality stock from superior Genotype
- Use of
pesticide
- Inter-cropping
- Harvesting
CJP carefully manages Flax cultivation, with advanced crop practices
suitable to local soil, weather, pest, and disease conditions to ensure the
high amount of oil as we have developed enhanced technology with regards to:-
- Planting
materials & other inputs
- Crop Management
- Irrigation
Management
- Fertilizer
Management
- Pest &
Diseases management.
- Harvesting
Management
- Post harvest
management
- And finally
grading for further process
The key factors governing
profitability of large scale production are:
- Selection of
high yielding varieties with suitable marketable quality.
- Sowing in a
proper season, in compliance with the latest agro techniques.
- Pest control
- Adoption of
post harvest management.
CJP’s Researchers have
developed standardized techniques for growing Flax on
large scale. CJP ensures Organic Flax cultivation right from the land
preparation, crop management to production of end product. CJP Flax Farms are
under the vigilant supervision of agronomists, who make sure that the latest
and best breed of Flax is being planted. However, we keep a close watch on the
research results of Flax breeding by studying thousands of Flax variants,
identifying and collecting the best sources of high-quality to guarantee a
consistently high yield. Accordingly, the enhanced variety of with regards to seed yield and oil yield
and the enhanced Cultivation techniques may ensure proper and profitable
production of THE OIL CROP providing early fruition and flowering—CJP is happy to announce the
market release of New Oil Crop
“Flax
Cultivation Technology”
at an affordable Price
Flax Energy
Project Services (CEP)
Based
on our proprietary knowledge and extensive experience gained we have developed
and enhanced a wide range of Products just to ensure “Failsafe FLAX Farms”
C J P
has developed a set of FEP services with
access to our own supply chain intellectual property rights (IPR) and exclusive
expertise with technological background and experiences in the field for
creation of your ambitious Green Energy
Farm.
FEP SERVICE 1: Flax Farming Feasibility Study Report
Land
identification is a pre-requisite to development of a Project plan and to meet
this requirement Pre-feasibility Study is required to be getting carried out
from the competent experienced agency. We do carry out the Pre-feasibility
study report for choosing the best
location for your green energy Project
FEP SERVICE 2: Flax Farming Business Plan
The
formulation of business plan needs in- depth specialists from each field CJP
can offer nonfood renewable energy projects with many plans, resources and
proven profitable models. Our specialty is business planning with the focus on
high productivity and profitability. Getting
the best business plan formation Please visit business plan page
FEP SERVICE 3: (pre-plantation stage)
Getting the best planting
stock/material is the most
important KEY Strategy to ensure a
failsafe fuel farm. We have developed best variety called “SRIPHL L03 “with
more seeds and more oil per ha with flowering and fruiting.
We provide best seeds of superior
genotype
FEP SERVICE 4: (Cultivation stage)
Adopting Best Practices in Agronomy
In order to achieve commercial
perfection, it is crucial to understand the crop’s requirements, predict its
possible interactions with the environment & develop packages of practices
for industrial cultivation
That's why CJP is providing low-cost
Crop Cultivation Technology & Crop Care Technology which includes
- Improved Agricultural
Practices
- Varietal Improvements
- Enhanced cultural practices
- Pest & Disease Control
- Intercropping
- Going "Green" with
the use of Microbial fertilizers
- Fine-tuning practices to soil
type, environmental conditions & labor
For more about flaxseeds, flax
cultivation technology, Flax farming business plan mail to Jatrophaplan@gmail.com
Or contact
Assistant Director, CJP
B-132, Sainik Basti, Churu-331001
Tele: +91-9413334600 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting +91-9413334600 end_of_the_skype_highlighting