Physical Properties of Different Turkish Organic Cotton Fiber Types Depending on the Cultivation Area

Abstract

Cotton fiber properties are one major issue to estimate the sale price, to optimize the production process of the highest yarn quality with the lowest level of fiber lost. Fiber properties are influenced by fiber genetic codes, growing conditions of humidity, temperature, and soil content of the land. In this study, examined white and naturally colored unique Turkish cotton fibers were developed via crossbreeding and selective breeding techniques in Turkey. The physical properties [fineness (micronaire index), fiber length (mm), and fiber strength (g/tex)] of different varieties of two white (Nazilli 84 S and Aydin 110) and three naturally colored (Emirel, Akdemir, Nazilli DT-15) organic cotton fiber types which cultivated (in compliance with the organic cotton fiber production under the control of the Turkey Nazilli Cotton Research Institute) in two different plantation locations in the Aegean Region of Turkey [Menemen/Izmir (Bakircay Basin) and Saraykoy/Denizli (Buyuk Menderes Basin) locations] under different climate types and weather conditions for five consecutive year period (from 2012 to 2016) were investigated. Measured and recorded data are analyzed with using a statistical evaluation method of Least Squares Fit model to accomplish Analysis of Variance and Effect Tests. Statistical evaluation has been designed to evaluate influence of dependent variable of fiber type, location, and year on the independent fiber properties of length, strength and fineness (micronaire). Different type of organic cotton fibers, different weather conditions of crop year and different cultivation location are found somehow influential factors on the studied major fiber properties. Statistical evaluation of the fiber length has shown that length changes depending on the crop year and location differences where seasonal weather conditions vary. In the case of fiber fineness, especially crop year is found the most influential factor that the same fiber exhibited different fiber fineness values depending on the slight weather condition changes of year and also location. Seasonal climate differences of different years are found the most influential factor on the fiber strength. Organic cotton fiber type of Aydin 110, which is white organic cotton fiber, is found having the best fiber properties among the five fiber types, and naturally colored organic cotton fiber type of Akdemir, which is one of the studied naturally colored organic cotton fibers, is found having the lowest fiber properties in general.