The potential of using fibre flax cultivars; developed in Europe for production in Quebec and Eastern Ontario was investigated in 1997 and 1998, in field trials at Macdonald Campus, McGill University, Ste. Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec and at Winchester and Kemptville, Ontario. A total of 11 cultivars were evaluated based on parameters pertinent to successful production. The French cultivar 'Ariane' stood out as the cultivar whose performance was most consistent across a variety of soil types and locations. The best method of establishing fibre flax (c.v. Ariane) in terms of seeding depth (zero, one, two, four or six centimeters), with soil compaction prior to vs. after seeding, or not at all, was also investigated during 1997 and 1998 at Macdonald Campus. Results were somewhat contingent on soil type at a specific site, but generally, a shallow seeding depth of one or two centimeters is best, with soil compaction prior to seeding more effective in lighter soils, and the same shallow seeding depth with no soil compaction in heavier soils. Preliminary investigations at Macdonald Campus in 1998 indicate good potential for the production of fibre flax (cv. Ariane) in minimum and zero tillage systems compared with conventional tillage. There were no significant differences between treatments in fresh straw yield, and minimum tillage plots produced significantly taller plants in one of the two sites. Overall, findings from this research indicate that fibre flax can successfully be produced in Eastern Canada using cultivars; of European origin and in a variety of tillage systems.

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