Flax fiber quality estimation technique for small samples using the Instron 5943 universal breaking device

Background. Fiber flax breeding was for a long time targeted at increasing the fiber yield that entailed deterioration in its quality. A significant amount of fiber is required for the analyses of its quality characteristics, which slows down the breeding process. A reliable assessment technique is needed to select valuable genotypes by analyzing small amounts of material.

Materials and methods. Fifty-three fiber samples representing the breaking load range (from 11 to 39 daN) were analyzed with two tools: the conventional method (standard) and the proposed (new) one. The technique we have developed is as close as possible to the standard one. The differences are in the replacement of the outdated DVK60 device with modern equipment, Instron 5943, which reduced the weight of a single sample 6.5 times. This substitution also affected the fiber selection procedure for assessing its fineness.

Results. The new technique slightly overestimated the indicators: by 9% in breaking and rated relative breaking loads, 12% in flexibility, and 13% in fineness. Correlation analysis revealed high similarity between the results obtained with the standard and new methods (r = 0.88 for the breaking load, r = 0.83 for the rated relative breaking load, r = 0.67 for flexibility, and r = 0.68 for fineness). Analysis of variance showed a high significant effect of the genotype on the assessment results for the breaking load (92%), flexibility (75%), fineness (78%), and the rated relative breaking load (83%).

Conclusion. The results obtained with the new technique are comparable with the evaluation data quantified according to standard procedure. It will provide reliable assessment of fiber quality in breeding material as early as in the 1st or 2nd year of seed reproduction from a single plant, which will reduce labor costs and accelerate selection of valuable genotypes.

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