Schriften zu Genetischen Ressourcen - Genres

A. DIEDERICHSEN, D. KESSLER, P. KUSTERS, J.P. RANEY and K.W. RICHARDS
combination. Computerised databases can handle this detailed information very efficiently
and substitute to some degree the classical approach of infraspecific classification.
The four convarieties defined by KULPA and DANERT (1962) are represented in the
PGRC flax collection (Table 2). The linseed cultivars grown widely in Canada fall into the
group of intermediate flax; their growing season is shorter than of the large seeded
Mediterranean flax. The actualisation of the concepts outlined for plant systematics by
N.I. VAVILOV (1935) or R. MANSFELD (1962) is based on observations as presented
here.
Tab. 2: Representation of the four convarieties of Linum usitatissimum L.
subsp. usitatissimum in the PGRC flax collection
Convariety Common name Accessions
convar. crepitans (Boenningh.) Kulpa et Danert Dehiscent flax 4
convar. elongatum Vav. et Ell. Fibre flax 296
convar. mediterraneum (Vav. ex Ell.) Kulpa et
Danert
Mediterranean flax 63
convar. usitatissimum Intermediate flax 2427
Total classified 2790
Acknowledgements
This project was supported by the Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission and
the Matching Investment Initiative of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
References
ALEFELD, Fr.(1866): Landwirthschaftliche Flora. Wiegandt and Hempel, Berlin.
CERNOMORSKAJA, N.M. and A.K STANKEVIC, 1987: To the problem of infraspecific classification
of common flax (Linum usitatissimum L). (Russ.). - Selekcija i genetika
techn. kult. 113, 53-63.
DIEDERICHSEN, A. (2001): Comparison of genetic diversity of flax (Linum usitatissimum
L.) between Canadian cultivars and a world collection. - Plant Breeding 120, 360-
362.
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