Abstract

Fiber flax varieties should be well adapted to the climatic conditions of the region and resistant to lodging, diseases, and other stress factors. The results of studying the collection varieties of fiber flax of different ecological and geographical origin in the soil and climatic conditions of Kirov oblast (Falenki Breeding Station, branch of the FASC of the Northeast) are presented. The collection is represented by varieties from Russia (44%), Belarus (13%), France (9%), China (8%), Lithuania (7%), Canada (4%), Ukraine (3%), the Netherlands (3%), and other countries. The aim of the research was to evaluate the genetic sources of fiber flax according to the main economically valuable traits and to select the best ones for further breeding. The meteorological conditions during the years of research (2000–2018) differed significantly in the amount of precipitation, the sum of temperatures, and in the nature of their distribution throughout the growing season. It was possible to assess the genetic potential of collection varieties in terms of productivity and resistance to unfavorable environmental factors and to identify sources for use in breeding. The maximum straw yield was 70–182 g/m² higher compared with the yield of the standard (the Tvertsa variety). It was obtained in 2009 from the Soglasie, Start, Stroitel, and Dashkovsky 2 (Belarus) varieties. Peresvet, Nord, Dobrynya (Pskov Research Institute of Agriculture) varieties significantly exceeded the standard in fiber content (by 4.7–10.1%). Yubileiny 87, Alexandrite, Mirazh, AR₄, AR₅, AR₆ (ASRI of flax); TOST 3, TOST 4 (Siberian Research Institute of Agriculture and Peat); Dashkovsky 2, Signal, Start, Iva, Vasilek, Praleska, Yarok (Belarus); Rushnichok (Ukraine); Agatha (Netherlands); Drakkar (France); Flax of Heilonjiang no. 10; and Yuan 2003-43 (China) stood out in terms of a set of economically valuable features.