The small but mighty flaxseed has many health benefits for humans, as well as other important uses.
The small but mighty flaxseed has many health benefits for humans, as well as other important uses. Yield, and therefore profits, are important for the few farmers who grow it in the United States.
After a 13-year process, a group of plant breeders has another cultivar to offer farmers. “A cultivar is a variety of a plant, created using selective breeding,” explains Mukhlesur Rahman. “That means it’s been bred for crop improvement and given a unique name.” Rahman is an associate professor of plant sciences at North Dakota State University.
“We have bred a new flaxseed cultivar called ‘ND Hammond,’” Rahman says. “It is a brown-seeded flaxseed cultivar. The average seed yield of this cultivar is higher than average compared to other flax cultivars grown in North Dakota. It is also resistant to Fusarium wilt and flax rust diseases.”
Read more at: American Society of Agronomy
The flowers of flax can be different colors, such as blue or white. (Photo credit: Mukhlesur Rahman)
