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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.

Four ponded depressional areas were selected in a cultivated field near Ste-Agnes de Dundee, Quebec. In 1988, land, soil, water and crop parameters were measured under ponding and non-ponding conditions in order to formalate a drainage investigation procedure for ponded depressions. / A sweet corn yield reduction of 39% was measured in depressions compared to ridges; this yield reduction occurred with 3 to 5 year interval of recurrence rainfalls. Loss of yield in depressional areas gave an overall reduction of 5% for the whole field. There was an additional loss in quality from poor uniformity of the corn cobs. The Ste-Agnes corn yield was estimated at 20% of the regional average. There was no significant difference between soil characteristics in depressions and ridges except for hydraulic characteristics such as infiltration and percolation rates as determined with the infiltrometer, and hydraulic conductivity as determined with the auger hole method. / The ponding runoff coefficients (mean PRC = 0.11) measured during the summer of 1988 were similar to the ones (mean PRC = 0.13) calculated using the CN curve method (USDA, SCS). / The low percolation rate of the subplow layer was found to be the main constraint to the subsurface drainage of the ponded depressions. / Soil survey and ponding study results were used to formulate a drainage investigation procedure for ponded depressional areas in the St. Lawrence Lowlands.

A field experiment was conducted on a homogeneous sandy soil and a layered soil of southern Quebec from 1988 to 1990. This was done in order to evaluate the yield response of indeterminate soybean to subsurface irrigation and to determine the performance of subsurface irrigation in a layered soil. It was found that indeterminate soybean varieties increase their yield by approximately 30% for two out of three years. Soybean are very sensitive to competition between themselves as well as with weeds. This sensitivity is increased during subsurface irrigation. Weeds were more prominent in the irrigated area. It was concluded that the soybean yields are functions of water table depth, percent weed and plant population density. The minimum allowable water table depth for soybean was found to be 45 cm. At a water table depth greater than 95 cm no yield response was observed. / Water table management is not only possible but very functional in the layered soils of southern Quebec. It was found that surplus water did not drain from the irrigated area until the water table anywhere in this area was 10 cm higher than the elevation of the overflow pipe in the control chamber. It was therefore concluded that a water table depth range of 10 cm should be included in the design of the water table control system to allow for the effects of rain.

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