Production properties of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) cultivated in Strumica region, Republic of Macedonia

Abstract. The purpose of this research was to determine the production properties of 5 flax genotypes cultivated in agro-ecological conditions in the Strumica region, Republic of Macedonia.The research was conducted in a period of two years (2014 and 2015), on the research fields in Strumica at Uni Service – Agro, Faculty of Agriculture, University Goce Delchev, Stip.The research was conducted on 5 genotypes of flax, 4 of which are domestic intermediate genotypes (transitive) flax (Velusina, Duferin, Belan, Belinka) and one French introduced fiber flax variety (Viking). The experiment consisted of five variants in three iterations, divided by the method of random block system for each genotype.The number of fruit per plant in both years of testing is statistically different among different genotypes. In the first year of the examination (2014), the largest number of fruit per plant had genotype Velusina (156) and the lowest (70.3) genotype Belan. In the second year of the examination (2015), the largest number of fruit per plant had the genotype Velusina (102.3) and the lowest (54.7), genotype Belinka.There is no statistically significant difference in number of seeds in the fruit among the tested genotypes. In the first year of the examination (2014), the largest number of seeds in fruit had genotype Velusina (4.63) and the lowest (2.26) – genotype Viking. In the second year of the examination (2015), the largest number of seeds in fruit had genotype Belan (9.96) and the lowest (7.06) – genotype Duferin. In the first year of the examination (2014), the largest number of seed yield per plant in kg/ha had the genotype Viking (500 kg/ha) and the lowest – genotype Belinka (210 kg/ha). In the second year of the examination (2015), the largest number of seed yield per plant in kg/ha had genotype Velusina (1100 kg/ha) and the lowest – genotype Belinka (780 kg/ha). In both years of research (2014 and 2015) there were statistically significant differences on the level of probability of 0.05 and 0.01 among the examined genotypes. Based on the survey results the most promising genotypes in terms of stability, yielding and quality are proposed to producers and industry, both at home and abroad.