What Effect Does the Flax Plant Have on the Environment?

The flax plant (Linum usitatissimum) is one of the oldest fiber crops in the world and has been used in the production of linen for over 5,000 years. Flax seed is high in Omega 3 essential fatty acids, and has been gaining popularity as a healthy source of good fats. Like all crop farming, flax cultivation has environmental impacts which can be greatly reduced if you choose a certified organic variety.

Flax Farming and Water

• Flax has shallow rooting character, and extracts more than 95 percent of its water from the top 70 cm of soil. Not only does this make it very susceptible to water shortages, but the short roots mean that in times of drought, the roots may not adequately secure the topsoil. As flax leaves little residue on the land, there is an increase risk of wind erosion if the land is summer-fallowed.

Flax and Fertilizers

• Compared to other crops, flax preforms poorly in soils with low fertility and can require significant use of fertilizers as a result. The overuse of fertilizers poses the environmental threat of runoff into streams and lakes, causing contamination and algae blooms. The nitrates found in fertilizers can also make groundwater unsafe for human or animal consumption.

Flax and Pests

• Like all crops, flax can be susceptible to pest infestation. The most common pest is the flax ballworm, which can be especially invasive when monoculture farming is practiced. Monoculture farming makes the flax crop more vulnerable to pest infestations, and can require an increased used in pesticides. Pesticides are toxic chemicals than can travel through runoff and wind, contaminating water sources and contributing to air pollution.

Flax and Diseases

• Wilt and rust are the most common diseases that threaten the flax plant. They can be controlled or avoided by using certified and disease free seeds, as well as treating the crop with fungicides. The overuse of fungicides can produce super fungicide-resistant varieties of pathogens that can cause devastating losses on crops

Crop Rotation

• A natural alternative to reduce the need for both pesticides and fungicides is to practice crop rotation and bi-culture farming techniques. This can also lessen the impact flax has on the environment by ensuring the soil is not stripped of specific minerals, as flax seed draws more minerals out of the soil than any other plant.

The Organic Alternative

• Organic flax seed can provide all the health benefits without the use of pesticides and fungicides

  The best way to lessen the environmental impact the flax plant has on the environment is to choose organic flax. Organic farming restricts the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, thereby minimizing any negative effects on land or water. By using the crop rotation and multi-seeding methods mentioned above, as well as biological pest control and the use of green manure and compost, organic flax farming can produce the seeds without the environmental destruction.