Lin’Ovation : Two days dedicated to flax innovation and crop protection
On 17 and 18 June 2026, the second edition of Lin’Ovation took place in the Hauts-de-France region. Organised by Arvalis, this open-air event brought together stakeholders from across the flax sector for two days of innovation, demonstrations, and knowledge exchange.
A 7-hectare demonstration area was set up with numerous trial plots covering eight key themes in flax cultivation:
- Soil fertility and crop establishment
- Insect management – Integrated strategies and prevention
- Weed control
- Genetic progress and variety selection – Choosing the right variety
- Disease management with a focus on sustainable crop protection
- Adaptation to climate change through resilient cropping systems that are better able to withstand unforeseen conditions
- Seed production – Techniques for quality and performance
- Harvest quality – Efficient harvesting while preserving fibre quality
For each theme, technical experts were available to share their knowledge and answer visitors’ questions. Within the theme of “Disease Management and Sustainable Crop Protection”, the partners of the Interreg project Trans-Pathoflax 2.0, part of the Biocontrol 4.0 portfolio, hosted a joint exhibition stand.
Visitors were offered a unique insight into the research being conducted on the major flax diseases Verticillium wilt, Septoria, and powdery mildew. In addition to highlighting the challenges posed by these diseases, the stand also showcased innovative and sustainable solutions, including the potential of biological control as part of an integrated disease management approach.
Visitors discovered ongoing field trials, recent research findings, and the different methods being developed to better understand and manage these diseases. The project partners also provided a behind-the-scenes look at laboratory research, explaining how pathogens develop and which mechanisms are involved in infection and disease spread. By combining this knowledge with applied research in the field, the project partners are working towards sustainable solutions for the flax sector. In this way, the event successfully brought science and practice closer together.
