Flax Rachel

Rachel is a variety of oil flax (Linum usitatissimum L. var. intermedia) intended for the production of high-quality edible oil. It is a medium-maturing variety with a vegetative period of 79 to 92 days, ensuring timely seed maturity. The plants have a height ranging from 45 to 78 cm, featuring a short stem and distinctive petal coloration: blue-purple in the bud stage and light blue at full development. Seeds are brown, with a 1000-grain weight varying from 5.4 to 7.3 g, indicating good density and seed material quality. The variety is characterized by high seed yield, averaging 9.5 c/ha in the Lower Volga region and about 6.9 c/ha in the Saratov region, slightly exceeding standard indicators. The fat content in the seeds is about 40.7–46.7%, making the oil suitable for food use. The fatty acid composition of the oil is characterized by high linolenic acid content (about 51.58%), as well as significant amounts of oleic and linoleic acids, ensuring beneficial food and technological properties of the oil. Rachel exhibits high resistance to lodging (5.0 points), shattering (4.3 points), and drought (4.0 points), making it a reliable choice for cultivation under various climatic conditions. Over the years of field tests, no disease damage was recorded, confirming the variety's high resistance to diseases. The recommended seed sowing depth is 4 cm, and the seeding rate is 25-30 kg/ha. All these characteristics make the Rachel variety promising for cultivation in regions with a moderate climate, especially in the Saratov region and the Lower Volga region.