Flax Plants Research Articles

Normalization and improvement of flax seed assimilated baked foodstuffs with their value assessment

The demand of consumers has bigger for the new food products with taste, safety, convenience and nutrition. Nutrition has appeared an added dimension in the chain of food product development. Due to presence of various bioactive composites flaxseeds have been considered as wide-ranging medicinal food and found to be protective against various metabolic disorders. Flaxseed contains abundant useful constituents which have positive effects in disease inhibition. Several Recent studies have shown that the flaxseed in its whole or in its flour form can be incorporated in various recipes and can be developed in form of bakery and other products. Although scientific evidence supports flaxseed consumption but many people are still unaware of the benefits provided by flaxseed and its beneficial role in hindrance of disorders. Flaxseed or linseed (Linum usi tatissimum L.), comes from the flax plant, which is an annual herb. The objective of the study was the development of flaxseed powder value added products and their quality evaluation. Flaxseed powder in different ratio i.e. T1 (10%), T2 (20%), T3(30%), T4(40%), T5(50%) and T6(60%) with wheat flour. Several preliminary trials were conducted to standardize flaxseed powder and finally therefore T3 was found more acceptable. Flaxseed powder products (Biscuit and muffin) were compared with control product and found that overall acceptability of flaxseed was more when compared to control. Nutrient content was significantly higher in flaxseed products compared to control.

Beneficial and Deleterious Effects of Phosphate Salts on Flax Plants Infected with Powdery Mildew

Beneficial and Deleterious Effects of Phosphate Salts on Flax Plants Infected with Powdery Mildew

Genes Associated with the Flax Plant Type (Oil or Fiber) Identified Based on Genome and Transcriptome Sequencing Data.

As a result of the breeding process, there are two main types of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) plants. Linseed is used for obtaining seeds, while fiber flax is used for fiber production. We aimed to identify the genes associated with the flax plant type, which could be important for the formation of agronomically valuable traits. A search for polymorphisms was performed in genes involved in the biosynthesis of cell wall components, lignans, fatty acids, and ion transport based on genome sequencing data for 191 flax varieties. For 143 of the 424 studied genes (4CL, C3′H, C4H, CAD, CCR, CCoAOMT, COMT, F5H, HCT, PAL, CTL, BGAL, ABC, HMA, DIR, PLR, UGT, TUB, CESA, RGL, FAD, SAD, and ACT families), one or more polymorphisms had a strong correlation with the flax type. Based on the transcriptome sequencing data, we evaluated the expression levels for each flax type-associated gene in a wide range of tissues and suggested genes that are important for the formation of linseed or fiber flax traits. Such genes were probably subjected to the selection press and can determine not only the traits of seeds and stems but also the characteristics of the root system or resistance to stresses at a particular stage of development, which indirectly affects the ability of flax plants to produce seeds or fiber.

Selection of productive hybrid oil flax plants by methods of multivariate analysis

Use of computer technology allows to quickly analyze and use subject, technological, analytical and other information. Biometric statistics in plant breeding is aimed at optimizing (increasing efficiency, reliability, acceleration and cheapening) the process of breeding varieties of agricultural crops. Therefore, creation and study of new varieties of oil flax requires widespread introduction of modern computer information technologies that provide information support of the breeding process at all its stages. Methods of multi-criteria mathematical statistics - factor and cluster analyses - were used in the studies for a comprehensive assessment of hybrid populations of oil flax by productivity elements (plant height, technical length, inflorescence length, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, number of seeds in a box, weight of 100 seeds, and oil content in seeds). Effectiveness of selection of hybrids of the third cycle of breeding has been evaluated, and also the distinctive features of hybrid combinations in a number of generations have been established. As a result of selection and technological cycle of the analysis, 31 highly productive hybrids (or 6.9%) were identified for further reproduction. Despite the high level of the breeding differential determined in hybrid combinations during the F2-F3 generation change, their response to traits based selection according to “number of seeds in a box” and “weight of 100 seeds” was weak, and selection by the number of boxes and seeds from the plant turned out to be ineffective. The selection method used makes it possible to cull low-yielding plants that have fallen into the worst groups of clusters. Culling by the method of multidimensional analysis should be used in later generations (fourth-fifth cycle of selection) as homozygosity of traits is established.

Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis Identifies Key Cellulose Synthase Genes (CESA) and Cellulose Synthase-like Genes (CSL) in Fast Growth Period of Flax Stem (Linum Usitatissimum L.)

ABSTRACT The cellulose synthase gene superfamily is vital for cell wall biogenesis during plant growth, particularly for flax fiber development. This study performed asequencing search of key CESA and CSL genes from several flax stem parts at different fiber development stages by comparing RNA-Seq. Quantitative RT-PCR was used to validate the expression of these genes. This study revealed that CESA4 genes (Lus10008225.g and Lus10008226.g), CESA6 genes (Lus10006161.g and Lus10041063.g), CESA8 genes (Lus10007296.g and Lus10029245.g), CSLD4 gene (Lus10026568.g), CSLE1 (Lus10016625.g) and CSLG genes (Lus10023056.g and Lus10023057.g) were specifically expressed in stem below the snap point where fibers is increased amounts of secondary cell wall deposition. LusCESA4 genes, LusCESA8, genes and LusCSLD4 gene were specifically expressed in fiber development stage during the fast growth period of flax plants. Based on GO and KEGG analyses, it was found that genes involved in pathways of cellulose microfibril organization, galactosyl transferase activity and galactose metabolism were specifically enriched in the stem tissue of the fiber development stage. Other genes involved in cellulose biosynthesis and cell wall development were also analyzed and discussed. The results will provide an important foundation for understanding fiber cell wall biogenesis, particularly the roles of LusCESAs and LusCSLs in the process of fiber development.

Wound coverage by the linen dressing accelerates ulcer healing.

IntroductionChronic ulcers are the main cause of morbidity and mortality, and the incidence of chronic wounds is expected to increase given that people live longer and that there are civil diseases.AimMuch attention in the treatment of wounds concerns a dressing that involves wound cleansing, bacterial balance, exudate management and local tissue in a wound environment. These important elements of the evaluation led to the development of an interactive dressing based entirely on flax raw materials.Material and methodsThe complete dressing for wound coverage was prepared from plant (flax) row products: seedcakes, oil, fiber. The content of bioactive compounds (qualitatively and quantitatively) was tested using chromatographic techniques, and their biological activity during tests on fibroblast cell cultures (NHDF). As a final step the clinical trial were performed.ResultsThe dressings, which help control the microenvironment, combining with exudate using hydrophilic fibre, controlling the flow of exudate from the wound to the dressing were generated. They stimulate the activity in the healing cascade and accelerate the healing process by combining lignocellulose fibre with higher amounts of phenolic compounds, sterols, cannabidiol and unsaturated fatty acids simultaneously with the 3-hydroxybutyrate polymer. All constituents of linen dressing are natural, originate from two types of the engineered flax plant. Pre-clinical data reveal a reasonable reduction in wound size in patients with chronic leg ulcers treated with a linen dressing.ConclusionsFor the first time, a successful application of the innovative interactive linen dressing in the treatment of chronic wounds was noted.

Formation of the Yield of Flax Seeds of the Oilseed Variety LM 98 during Inoculation with New Strains of Microorganisms of the Rizobakt Biological Product of the RZhF Brand in the Conditions of the Leningrad Region

In 2019 and 2020 on a small experimental field of the Department of Plant Industry named after I.A. Stebut FGBOU VO St. Petersburg State Agrarian University, studies were carried out to study the effect of new strains of microorganisms of Rizobakt biological products of RZhF brand on the growth, development and productivity of oil flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) variety LM 98. The research results showed that in the conditions of the Leningrad region on soddy-calcareous soil and with natural moisture, in order to obtain a stable seed yield at the level of 3.0 t / ha, it is recommended to inoculate oil flax seeds with the preparation Rizobakt of the RZhF brand (strain M) or Rizobakt of the RZhF (strain Sl), which will increase this indicator by 0.4 t/ha or 17%. The studied agrotechnical method stimulates seed germination, increases field germination by 8-30%, adaptation of crops planting to extreme environmental conditions is manifested, increasing the survival rate of plants for harvesting by 10-12%. This contributes to creation of flax stalks with a large (by 22–42%) number of plants per unit area before harvesting. In thickened agrophytocenoses, which are formed under the influence of biological products, in flax plants of the LM 98 variety, 18-19% fewer bolls are formed, seeds–by 15–17% and their weight is less by 10–18%.

Transcriptome combined with population level validation reveals genomic loci controlling plant height in flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Plant height is a key agronomic trait in bidirectional regulation of flax bast fiber and seeds yield. Although plant height is significantly distinct between oil flax and fiber flax, the genetic basis of plant height remains largely unknown. In this study, plant height related genes in model species Arabidopsis thaliana and rice (Oryza sativa L.) were homologous aligned to flax genome. And combined with the reported flax plant height candidate genes, 1593 genes were considered to have potential association with plant height in flax. Subsequently, a transcriptome analysis of tall and dwarf flax cultivars revealed that 532 candidates were differentially expression in young stem tissue above snap point, which were regarded as preliminary candidate genes for plant height. Next, the population level validation was performed using a core collection containing 200 flax accessions across four environments, and 30 genes repeatedly detected at least two environments were significantly associated with plant height. Taken together, our study provides a new strategy to rapid identify candidate genes associated with agronomic traits by combining transcriptome and population level validation. Meanwhile, our results provide valuable genomic resources and molecular insight into variation of plant height in flax subgroups, and may accelerate the improvement of high yield flax based on genomics-assisted breeding.

Вплив передпосівної обробки насіння льону в магнітному полі на біометричні показники рослин

Pre-sowing treatment of flax seeds in a magnetic field increases its yield, reduces plant morbidity, improves their biochemical parameters and product quality. Under the action of the magnetic field, the rate of chemical and biochemical reactions in flax seeds, solubility of salts and acids, biopotential, ion transport, membrane permeability, seed water absorption and oxygen concentration in cells increases, which has a positive effect on plant growth and development. It is established that the change in the biometric parameters of flax during pre-sowing treatment of seeds in a magnetic field depends on the square of the magnetic induction, the gradient of the magnetic field and the velocity of the seeds. Based on the experimentally obtained growth curves of flax plants, it can be concluded that during pre-sowing treatment of seeds in a magnetic field, plants have the best biometric indicators throughout the growing season. The best biometric indicators were in plants whose seeds were treatment in a magnetic field with a magnetic induction of 0.065 T, with four-fold re-magnetization, a magnetic field gradient of 0.57 T / m (pole division of 0.23 m) and a seed velocity of 0.4 m/s. Under this mode of pre-sowing treatment of seeds in a magnetic field, the length of flax stalks increased by 10.5 %, straw yield - by 0.7 t/ ha, seeds - 0.79 t/ ha. Key words: flax, seeds, magnetic induction, seed velocity, magnetic field gradient, plant biometrics

Genome‐wide analysis of genomic imprinting in the endosperm and allelic variation in flax

Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic phenomenon that causes biased expression of maternally and paternally inherited alleles. In flowering plants, genomic imprinting predominantly occurs in the triploid endosperm and plays a vital role in seed development. In this study, we identified 248 candidate imprinted genes including 114 maternally expressed imprinted genes (MEGs) and 134 paternally expressed imprinted genes(PEGs) in flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) endosperm using deep RNA sequencing. These imprinted genes were neither clustered in specific chromosomal regions nor well conserved among flax and other plant species. MEGs tended to be expressed specifically in the endosperm, whereas the expression of PEGs was not tissue-specific. Imprinted single nucleotide polymorphisms differentiated 200 flax cultivars into the oil flax, oil-fiber dual purpose flax and fiber flax subgroups, suggesting that genomic imprinting contributed to intraspecific variation in flax. The nucleotide diversity of imprinted genes in the oil flax subgroup was significantly higher than that in the fiber flax subgroup, indicating that some imprinted genes underwent positive selection during flax domestication from oil flax to fiber flax. Moreover, imprinted genes that underwent positive selection were related to flax functions. Thirteen imprinted genes related to flax seed size and weight were identified using a candidate gene-based association study. Therefore, our study provides information for further exploration of the function and genomic variation of imprinted genes in the flax population.

A Review on Flax Seed: A Legume for Longevity

Flax seed, tiny packs of nutrients supply a wealth of health benefits. Dietary flaxseed has an amazing use in a different health conditions. Research evidences on the properties of dietary flaxseed have wide spread information. It has been found that the tiny, edible seeds of the flax plant, have gained superfood status because of its therapeutic values in preventing the diseases. From the past few years, there is growing evidences that the people have become more health conscious. Many trials have been conducted with the upgraded standards of control available in order to provide consistent information on its significance to the general community. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of the research that have reinforced the growth of flaxseed as a commodity with importance in the health and medicine fields. Flaxseed is emerging as a vital functional food element because of its rich contents of α- linolenic acid (ALA, omega-3 fatty acid), lignans, and fiber. Flax lignans have potential health benefits such as in reduction of cardiovascular disease, cancer, atherosclerosis, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, autoimmune and neurological disorders. The role of the Flax protein in the prevention and treatment of heart disease and in supporting the immune system has been proven. The present review focuses on the evidences of the potential health benefits of flaxseed through human and animals. Its role in enhancing the longevity by alleviating the common health challenges like hypertension, cancer and diabetes.

Сравнительная оценка баковых смесей гербицидов при возделывании масличного льна на черноземе выщелоченном Западного Предкавказья

Potential yield of the modern oil flax varieties is up to 2.5–3.0 t/ha, but in fact, in 2020, its average yield was equal to 0.81 t/ha in the Russian Federation and 0.86 t/ha тin the Southern federal district. One of the reasons of such low productivity of the crop is non-effective protection of sowings against weeds. We studied impact of tank mixtures of herbicides Tifi, WDG (0.025 kg/ha) + Miura, CE (1.2 l/hа); Magnum, WDG (0.01 kg/hа) + Miura, CE (1.2 l/hа); Sekator Turbo, OD (0.1 l/hа) + Miura, CE (1.2 l/hа) and Sekator Turbo, OD (0.1 l/hа) + Quickstep, OCE (0.8 l/hа) on oil flax productivity (the variety FLIZ bred at the V.S. Pustovoit All-Russian Research Institute of Oil Crops). The researches were conducted in a zone of unstable moistening on leach black soil of the Western Ciscaucasia in 2017–2020. Recommended doses of tank mixtures of the herbicides were applied in a phase of 5-6 pairs of leaves development of oil flax plants. In spite of the good water availability in years of the research, high air temperatures during flowering – seeds formation negatively influenced the crop productivity. Due to our results, on average for four years, treatment of oil flax plants with a tank mixture of the herbicides Sekator Turbo, OD (0.1 l/hа) + Quickstep, OCE (0.8 l/hа) allowed obtaining the highest yield – 1.17 t/hа, oil content in seeds – 45.5% and oil yield – 0.47 t/hа; there was fixed the high clear profit – 13,861 RUR/hа at profitability of 51%.

Cultivation of false flax for seeds under the conditions of the Ryazan region

False flax is a valuable and irreplaceable oilseed crop. The oil obtained from false flax plants can be compared with flax oil in terms of its useful properties. However, false flax oil has better preservation and has better taste qualities. It is very profitable to use false flax for the production of feed. After the false flax undergoes heat treatment, the remaining press-cake is used as feed for poultry and livestock. Thus, 100 kg of press-cake and 17 kg of protein contain 115 feed units. The purpose of the research was to determine the influence of elements of cultivation technology on the yield of spring false flax on seeds under the conditions of the Ryazan region. The Ryazan region is characterized by a temperate continental climate with warm summers and moderately cold winters with stable snow cover and well-defined, but less long transitional seasons such as spring and autumn. Under the conditions of the Ryazan region the most effective technological techniques (sowing period, seeding rate, use of plant growth regulators) have been developed and experimentally substantiated in order to increase production and improve the quality characteristics of oilseed false flax seeds. The relationship between the individual elements of the crop structure and the yield of spring false flax, as well as weather conditions, is revealed. It is established that the cultivation of spring false flax with a seeding rate of 7 million pieces germinating seeds/ha, was the most cost-effective, where the level of profitability did not fall below 70,3 %. At the same time, the level of profitability was higher in the first sowing period than in the second, which is associated with a higher yield (1,11–1,25 t/ha) and the quality of the products obtained.

Особливості формування ефективних агроценозів льону олійного за органічного виробництва

Goal. To develop efficient elements of technology for growing oilseed flax of registered and promising varieties to obtain environmentally friendly products in terms of organic production (application of technological factors and means of biologization) for soil and climatic conditions of the Western Forest-Steppe zone. Methods. Field (to monitor the growth and development of plants during the growing season); laboratory-field (study of the influence of the studied factors on the dynamics of biometric indicators of plants); laboratory-chemical (determination of quality indicators of seeds and stems, nutrient content in the soil); measuring and weighing (determination of yield and yield structure); mathematical and statistical (determination of the reliability of the obtained results); calculation and comparison (determination of economic and energy efficiency). Results. The efficiency of biological preparations and microfertilizers in the organic technology of oilseed flax cultivation in soil and climatic conditions of the Carpathian region of Ukraine is evaluated. It was found that the use of complex microfertilizer Nanomix and biological preparations Rokohumin, Haupsyn Forte, Aktarofit K, Trykhoveryn, and Mikoaplai helped to reduce the damage to oilseed flax plants by anthracnose by 3.4–6.6% with the technical efficiency of these drugs in the range of 10.4–20.1%. The highest productivity of oilseed flax, provided it is grown by organic technology (1.18 t/ha), was obtained using Nanomix microfertilizer: seed treatment (2.0 l/t) + spraying of plants (4.0 l/ha). The increase before control was 0.19 t/ha (19.1%). The use of biopesticides and mycorrhizal preparation Mikoaplai also caused a significant increase in the productivity of flax seeds of oil variety Vodogray in the range of 0.03–0.06 t/ha (3.1–6.2%). The highest increase in flax straw yield was obtained with the use of Rokohumin for seed treatment in the dose of 2.0 l/t in combination with the foliar application (4.0 l/ha) (by 0.22 t/ha). The use of Nanomix microfertilizer (2 l/t) for seed treatment caused an increase in the oil content in the seeds by 0.5–0.6%. Conclusions. The highest productivity of oilseed flax, provided it is grown by organic technology (1.18 t/ha), was obtained using Nanomix microfertilizer: seed treatment (2.0 l/t) + spraying of plants (4.0 l/ha). The increase before control was 0.19 t/ha (19.1%).

The use of phosphorus nanoparticles synthesized by rhizospheric fungus Aspergillius fumigatus as a nanofertilizer for flax plant

The use of phosphorus nanoparticles synthesized by rhizospheric fungus Aspergillius fumigatus as a nanofertilizer for flax plant

Cyanogenic glycosides can function as nitrogen reservoir for flax plants cultured under N-deficient conditions

Soil nitrogen (N) deficiency is a common phenomenon that plagues both naturally growing plants as well as agricultural crops, ultimately affecting their growth and productivity. The aim of our study is to determine the effect of short-term N deprivation on secondary metabolites production in developing and mature leaves of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.). Two weeks under low-N conditions decrease plant growth, N concentration, and soluble proteins content in leaves. Reduction in photosynthesis intensity was also observed. A decrease of cyanogenic glycoside content under N-deficient conditions was most visible in mature leaves. However, the content of linamarin and lotaustralin was about 10-fold higher in younger than in mature leaves, in which play probably protective role due to the possibility of toxic HCN release. Despite the N deficit, flax plants accumulated nitrogen in cyanoglycosides. N from cyanoglycosides can be used to synthesise amino acids; this possibility is supported by the high activity of β-cyanoalanine synthase, especially in N-deficient leaves. On the other hand, the content of different types of phenolic compounds increased in N-deficient plants, especially in young leaves, possibly replacing cyanoglucosides in protective functions. Our results indicated that cyanogenic glycosides could be an important nitrogen source for flax plants grown under temporary N-deficient conditions.

NMR and LC-MS-Based Metabolomics to Study Osmotic Stress in Lignan-Deficient Flax.

Lignans, phenolic plant secondary metabolites, are derived from the phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathway. Although, being investigated for their health benefits in terms of antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, the role of these molecules in plants remains incompletely elucidated; a potential role in stress response mechanisms has been, however, proposed. In this study, a non-targeted metabolomic analysis of the roots, stems, and leaves of wild-type and PLR1-RNAi transgenic flax, devoid of (+) secoisolariciresinol diglucoside ((+) SDG)—the main flaxseed lignan, was performed using 1H-NMR and LC-MS, in order to obtain further insight into the involvement of lignan in the response of plant to osmotic stress. Results showed that wild-type and lignan-deficient flax plants have different metabolic responses after being exposed to osmotic stress conditions, but they both showed the capacity to induce an adaptive response to osmotic stress. These findings suggest the indirect involvement of lignans in osmotic stress response.

WITHDRAWN: Study on the influence of barium sulphate on flexural and impact strength of simple natural fiber composite

This study mainly deals with the Barium Sulphate (BaSO4) influence in the composites of natural fiber. In this place fibers used were extracted from the Flax plants and Kenaf plants. The basic and traditional methods were handled to form the natural fiber composites. The epoxy resin is used in between the fibers. The flax fiber and Kenaf fiber were mixed equal amount of volume in total volume used to prepare the composites. There are two cases were considered. Case one is the fiber composite exclusive of the barium sulphate and second case have the inclusive of barium sulphate which have the one fifth portion of the resin involved in the formation of composite. These two case specimens were prepared independently. The microstructure views of both cases were identified. There are mainly flexural strength and impact strength tests were conducted to identify the influence of the barium sulphate in the natural fiber composites.

Environmental testing of Linum usitatisimum L. varieties in the steppe zone

The research was conducted from 2017 to 2019 in the steppe zone of southern Russia. In all three years of research, the average annual air temperature exceeded the annual average value by 1.9, 2.1 and 2.2 in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. During the growing season of oil flax, 82.7 mm of precipitation fell in 2017, 225 mm in 2018 and 241 mm in 2019. The following oil flax varieties were tested in the experiment: Fliz (control), VNIIMK 620, Chibis, Solnyshko, Pestrik, and Uralsky. Analysis of the sheaf material showed that the number of bolls on one plant was greater for the varieties Solnyshko and Pestrik (2.6 and 2.7 pieces on one plant, respectively) than on the control variety of Fliz. The average number of seeds in one boll in all studied varieties for three years was the same. The height of Chibis and Pestrik oil flax plants was 2.7 and 2.1 cm higher than the control variant, respectively. The average weight of seeds from one plant over three years was greater for Chibis and Solnyshko varieties and amounted to 0.43 and 0.52 grams, respectively. In terms of yield, the control variant exceeded only VNIIMK 620 variety by 0.04 t/ha. At the same level with the control variety were Chibis, Pestrik and Uralsky. The Solnyshko variety gave significantly lower yields. There was no exceeding of the oil content in flax seeds as compared to the control variety. VNIIMK 620 variety was on par with the Fliz variety with an oil content of 44.82%.

The mechanisms of fiber flax adaptation to high soil acidity (a review)

Excessive soil acidity is one of the main factors causing significant losses in crop production. Using fiber flax, the effect of soil acidity on the yield and fiber quality of various samples representing the world gene pool of this crop is shown. The optimum acidity for fiber flax is within a narrow range – pH KCl 5.3–5.6. On strongly acid soils (pH KCl less than 4.5) with threshold values of the toxic aluminum (Al 3+ ) content, 10–11 mg/100 g, a decrease in the flax yield is over 50%. Currently, along with the mechanisms of detoxification of toxic aluminum in acid soils, genetic aspects of aluminum resistance have also been determined. It is shown that one of the most significant components of the common defense response of plants to various stresses is their antioxidant systems. An important role in the antioxidant defense system belongs to glutathione transferases. Using high-through put sequencing and quantitative PCR, a change in the expression of genes and microRNAs in flax plants was revealed in response to the toxic effect of aluminum ions. Using flax genotypes contrasting in acid resistance, an increase in the expression of genes encoding UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGT) and glutathione-S-transferases (GST) was established under aluminum stress. The increase in expression was more pronounced in aluminum-resistant flax cultivars than in sensitive ones. Also, the differences in the change of miR390 and miR393 expression between resistant and sensitive genotypes were revealed under the toxic effects of aluminum ions. Understanding the resistance mechanisms makes it possible to accelerate the development of flax and other crop cultivars adaptive to edaphic stress, which is important for obtaining high and guaranteed yields of agricultural products.