Rapid techniques for assessing fibre quality of flax breeding lines and cultivars using visible and near infrared spectroscopy, and thermal analysis

Fifteen different flax cultivars and breeding lines (E‐68, Baltučiai, Belinka, Vega 2, Ilona, Elise, Kastyčiai, Evelin, 1963‐3, Ariane, Hermes, 01057‐12, 1698‐13a, 2017‐3, 1864‐24) were cultivated, harvested, water‐retted, scutched and resulting fibres passed through pin frames to produce representative samples for each variety. The aim of this investigation was to develop rapid techniques for assessing quality of fibre obtained from a comparative agronomical trial. The fibres produced were then assessed using visible and near infrared spectroscopy (Vis–NIRS), thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy and airflow method for measuring fibre fineness. The relationships between agronomical characteristics, fibre fineness, thermal and spectral results were assessed using principal component analysis and partial least squares regression methods. The micrographs of the samples revealed the presence of residual pectic and cuticular tissues on all fibres, and significant differences between the 15 fibre samples were not observed. A significant relationship of the differences in fibre fineness of the test samples as measured by airflow method and Vis–NIR spectra was observed with an R 2 of 0.97 and standard error of calibration (SEC) of 1.69 dtex, and the former parameter also correlated with the measured thermal combustion parameters showing an R 2 of 0.91 and SEC of 2.86 dtex, indicating that the two rapid techniques could be used for the assessment of fibre quality of selected plants from the breeding programme. The advantages of using the two instrumental techniques compared with the existing airflow method are briefly discussed.