Capsule closure and seed discoloration in flax from exposure to various moisture and temperature conditions

Abstract

Mature flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) capsules closed completely within 50 min after exposure to free water, but not all closed completely when exposed to high humidity. In capsules placed between wet paper towels, 50% of the seeds discolored to dark brown or black in 3.4, 5.6, 6.3 and 12.8 d after exposure at 20, 15, 10 and 5 °C, respectively. Microorganisms were implicated in the discoloration processes. Key words: Flax, Linum usitatissimum L., seed weathering, seed discoloration