Linum usitatisimum L. is the most important crop in Russia for the production of high-quality oil with low cost (review)

Oil crops play an important role in providing society with food, livestock feed, industry and raw materials and are of great importance for economically stable agricultural production. The purpose of this review article was to show the importance of the agricultural crop of oil flax and its oil seeds for various types of industries, the possibility of expanding its cultivation areas in Russia, as well as a way to reduce the cost of production. The article provides overview information on studies conducted on oilseed flax (Linum usitatisimum L.), on the possibility of using its products in food, technical industry, medicine, for the production of biodiesel, in crop production and fodder production. High resistance to abiotic and biotic factors put oil flax in a number of crops that can be cultivated everywhere; however, its yield, oil content and cost in different regions of Russia and the world are very different. This question has not been sufficiently studied in the literature. This review focuses on modern research by both foreign and Russian scientists. The possibilities of cultivating Linum usitatisimum L. in Russia according to the modern no-till farming system (direct sowing technology, zero technology, technology without tillage) and the directions of its oil use are shown, which indicates their relevance and high demand in various fields of human activity. Oil flax is a unique natural and biological resource that has rational and environmental benefits in cultivation.