Fiber quality of upland cotton under different irrigation depths

Francisco P Cordão Sobrinho,Whéllyson P Araújo,João H Zonta,Hugo O C Guerra,Jose R Pereira,José R C Bezerra

doi:10.1590/1807-1929/agriambi.v19n11p1057-1063

Francisco P Cordão Sobrinho, Whéllyson P Araújo + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-1929/agriambi.v19n11p1057-1063

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Abstract

ABSTRACTAiming to evaluate the effect of irrigation depths on fiber quality of upland cotton, an experiment was conducted from July to December 2010 in Barbalha-CE, Brazil. The treatments consisted of a factorial combination of two upland cotton cultivars (BRS Aroeira and BRS Araripe) and five irrigation depths (260.93, 418.93, 514.21, 711.81 and 894.68 mm), arranged in a split-plot design with four replicates. A line-source sprinkler irrigation system was used and irrigation depth in the control treatment was calculated according to the crop evapotranspiration. The analysed fiber quality variables were: fiber percentage, length, uniformity, short-fiber index, resistance, elongation at rupture, micronaire index, maturity, degree of yellowing, reflectance degree and count strength product (CSP) index. The irrigation depths influenced fiber length, short-fiber index, strength, micronaire index, maturity and reflectance degree. The cultivars influenced fiber percentage, length and color (degree of yellowing). The best results of fiber quality were found with irrigation depths of 514.21 and 418.93 mm for the upland cotton cultivars BRS Araripe and BRS Aroeira, respectively.

Highlights

Cotton fiber has various industrial applications, among which: manufacture of yarns for weaving, preparation of absorbent cotton for nursing, making felt, blankets and stuffing, obtaining cellulose, photographic films and radiographic plates etc. (Beltrão et al, 2011)
No significant effect was observed on fiber percentage for the applied irrigation depths, which corroborates the results obtained by Cordão Sobrinho et al (2007), MéndezNatera et al (2008), Basal et al (2009), Onder et al (2009) and Hussein (2011)
According to the experimental results, these authors showed that fiber percentage is not affected by different irrigation depths, since it is determined by the genetic characteristics of the cultivars

Summary

Introduction

Cotton fiber has various industrial applications, among which: manufacture of yarns for weaving, preparation of absorbent cotton for nursing, making felt, blankets and stuffing, obtaining cellulose, photographic films and radiographic plates etc. (Beltrão et al, 2011). Due to its tolerance to water stress, the cotton crop is a relevant alternative for the northeast semi-arid region, which has the problem of irregular rainfalls. The most relevant physical properties of fibers are: length, uniformity, resistance, elongation, maturity, micronaire index, reflectance degree, yellowing, short-fiber index and count strength product (CSP). Using irrigation in order to obtain fibers that are compatible with the market is one of the alternatives for the northeast semi-arid region, especially in the dry period of the year (Dagdelen et al, 2006), since it decreases risks, ensures yield levels and fiber quality (Hussein et al, 2011; Luo et al, 2013). According to Davidonis et al (2004), irrigation increases fiber maturity, while a severe water deficit during fiber elongation reduces length, and maturity, causing the production of immature fibers and reducing quality. According to Davidonis et al (2004), irrigation increases fiber maturity, while a severe water deficit during fiber elongation reduces length, and maturity, causing the production of immature fibers and reducing quality. Balkcom et al (2006) indicate that micronaire and irrigation level are negatively correlated

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