Physical and chemical properties of flax fibres from stand-retted crops desiccated at different stages of maturity

It was concluded that the lower lignin content at mid-flower allowed more complete retting of fibre bundles to give a higher yield of fine elementary fibres. This cotton-compatible fibre was produced at a competitive cost compared with cotton. It is suggested that further optimisation of desiccation timing may permit increased yields of cotton-compatible fibre.