Linseed Different Biological Activity

[Villagefarmer]

Hi,
Yesterday I had a great chat with guy who farms on the south bank of the humber and he mentioned about linseed. This struck a cord with me as we used to grow linseed and always had a fantastic crop of wheat following it but never knew why and left it at that. He was telling how linseed has a different biological activity compared to any other crops grown. Has anyone else know more on this subject or had similar experiences?

 

[Howdenshire Farmer]

My understanding is that linseed is a very favourable host for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. They release glomalin which helps to form aggregates in the soil which benefits the soil structure.

 

[Simon C]

Always get my best wheat after linseed. Yes, it is a very high mycorrhizal plant and because it is one of the last crops to combine, the mycorrhizae can transfer onto newly germinating wheat roots straight away. For some reason it leaves a beautiful crumbly soil structure but I don't know why, it being completely opposite to peas which leave the soil in a right mess. Another thing I often notice, late applied nitrogen doen't get taken up by the linseed in a dry spring/summer and so there is quite a lot left for the wheat to get started on.

 

[britt]

Winter wheat always does well after linseed as Simon says.
This year we have put in spring wheat after, for the obvious reason, and by spring the benefit has been lost and the soil is quite sad and the crop is poorer than that after rape. There were over winter volunteers in both cases.

 

[Case290]

How much do pigeons like linseed on a scale 1-10
When do they decide to move on ? 1-10 inches high or never
Having not grown it before. 3 gas bangers 4 twirly scary balls 1 hawk kite 4 other home made scarecrows + one part time farmer me just to keep them moving. Field next to the farm drive with a bit of horn Beeping just for good measure. Can’t see how it could be grown on away blocks of ground.

 

[teslacoils]

How much do pigeons like linseed on a scale 1-10
When do they decide to move on ? 1-10 inches high or never

4.

They are relentless this year. Sat on my fields of cover crops pecking out cereals as soon as a bit of green emerges. Normally not a problem in linseed. They'll stay on it until there is something better / easier for them.

 

[britt]

In spring linseed it's usually safe after about 4 true leaves.
Winter linseed usually gets attacked late Jan - Feb until the new spring growth starts.

 

[Thomas Simpson]

How much do pigeons like linseed on a scale 1-10
When do they decide to move on ? 1-10 inches high or never
Having not grown it before. 3 gas bangers 4 twirly scary balls 1 hawk kite 4 other home made scarecrows + one part time farmer me just to keep them moving. Field next to the farm drive with a bit of horn Beeping just for good measure. Can’t see how it could be grown on away blocks of ground.

grown it for the last 3 yrs and pigeons do love it!

 

[clbarclay]

Recently I've been noticing large groups of pigeons more often on feilds at times I wouldn't normally expect them. Not had much trouble with them this year, but suspect they have been feeling the pinch of reduced amount of OSR being grown.