Evaluation of fiber flax varieties in the Central region of non-chernozem zone of Russia

Long-fiber flax (Linum usitatissimum L. var. elongata) is a specialized industrial crop valued for its high-quality bast fibers, essential for the textile and composite materials sectors. At the core of this investigation lies a comprehensive evaluation of nine accessions of long- fiber flax germplasm, conducted in the pedoclimatic conditions of the Central Non-Chernozem Zone of Russia. The research presented in this paper aims to identify genotypes with optimal agronomic and quality traits for sustainable cultivar selection in this temperate region. Key morphological, yield, and fiber quality parameters were quantified during the 2024 growing season, including plant height, stem diameter, fiber yield, fiber content, and seed production. The analysis of the experimental data revealed significant varietal diversity. The cultivar ‘Vesta’ demonstrated superior fiber yield (30.94 q/ha) and fiber content (26.05%), while ‘Nadezhda’ excelled in stalk fineness (a critical parameter for textile quality) and seed set per plant. A comparative analysis with historical varieties revealed genetic progress achieved through breeding, particularly in improving yield components and morphological structure suitable for high- quality fiber production. The results provide a scientific basis for selecting adapted long-fiber flax varieties to optimize sustainable cultivation systems, maintain agricultural biodiversity, and stimulate the production of climate- resilient plant materials for the bioeconomy.