Eco-friendly methods of protecting flax against weeds

In cultivation of fibre flax the main yield is the fibre yield. This raw material, owing to its „processing-using” properties, belongs to so called ecofibres or green fibres. Thus, development of eco-friendly (also “plant-friendly”) technologies of using pesticides (including herbicides) seems necessary. Protection of flax plantations against weeds should combine efficiency and ecofriendly system of applying herbicides. Research done at the Institute of Natural Fibres in Poznań was focused on these issues. The green technologies of protecting flax against weed infestation comprise: • Reducing the doses of chemical herbicides by using adjuvants, especially based on natural plant oils (e.g. Lenmix 800 EC contain flaxseed oil); • Reducing herbicide doses by precise time of the treatment; • Applying repeated treatments with lower doses of herbicides (split application); • Precise application based on the analysis of weed infestation on field – the map of weed distribution; • Rotation of herbicides. Such a system allows for maintaining soil fertility, lowers environmental pollution and keeping pro-healthy properties of flax fibre.