Use of desiccants to reduce frost damage in immature flax

The desiccants diquat, glufosinate-ammonium, dimethipin and glyphosate were applied to flax when 44–84% of the capsules were green to reduce damage from subsequent frost. Beginning 3 d after desiccant application, plant samples were taken at 2–4 d intervals and exposed to a temperature at −20 °C overnight. Diquat application gave the most promising results, reducing the proportion of discolored seed and sometimes reducing loss of germinability, while resulting in a small yield loss compared with freezing of untreated plants. Key words: Flax, Linum usitatissimum L., desiccants, frost damage, seed quality, germination