Abstract

Recent investigations about the influence of Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz and C. alyssum (Mill.) Thell. on flax ( Linum usitatissimum ) confirm the result from previous experiments, that the lower yield of flax is caused by competition for edaphic and climatic factors. The competition begin at an early stage of development in which the weed shows a higher production of substance than the flax. Most importent for the suppression of flax-growth is the common influence of edaphic and climatic factors during the stage of stem-extension. The growth of flax is more disturbed by violent variations of temperature than the growth of weed. In mixture seeds the stem-extension of flax is promoted by the alternation of microclimatic factors in the environment of Camelina plants. In soils with normal content of nutrients the false flax was found to be the stronger partner of competition. In conditions of a high supply of nutrients, particulary nitrogen compounds such as ammonium nitrate, the flax predominated over the false flax. The following facts argue against the view stated by G rümmer (1958), that toxic substances (colines, allelopathic substances) derived from the leaves of Camelina were the main causes for the decrease of flax-growth: — Cold water infusion of Camelina leaves sprayed on leaves of flax and examined by a root-growth test had no effect (B alschun and J acob 1961). — In a high stand-density the flax will be influenced by intraspecific competition and will show the same effect as when influenced by interspecific competition (ibid.). — Species of annual plants other than Camelina , whose development is also synchronous with Linum, have a similar and partly even stronger influence on growth, dry weight and morphology of flax than Camelina species (B alschun and J acob 1966). — The suppression of flax plants surrounded by dotter can be revoked by supplying a high amount of nutrients.

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