Cotton Micronaire Research Articles

Investigation of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy potential in cotton fiber micronaire measurement and distribution

Cotton micronaire is an essential fiber quality attribute that characterizes both fiber maturity and fineness components. Micronaire and other attributes are measured on fiber lint routinely in laboratories under controlled environmental conditions following a well-established high-volume instrument protocol. In this study, the attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, characterizing fundamental group vibrations in fiber cellulose from 4000 to 400 cm−1, and using an attenuated total reflection device, was explored for fiber micronaire assessment, especially for seed cotton locule fibers that were mingled with nonlint materials, and varied in fiber maturity within a naturally variable sample. Partial least squares multivariate regression models and the algorithmic infrared maturity approach were developed and then applied to predict micronaire values of validation samples and independent seed cotton samples for comparison. Unlike partial least squares models that showed worse in the coefficient of determination, bias, and percentage of samples within the 95% agreement range for independent samples than for validation samples, the algorithmic infrared maturity approach indicated a similarity in the coefficient of determination, bias, and percentage of samples within the 95% agreement range between the validation samples and independent samples. In particular, the algorithmic infrared maturity approach avoided the need to re-calibrate the model with new samples. Therefore, the development of a robust and effective Fourier transform infrared technique combined with the infrared maturity approach for rapid laboratory micronaire assessment and distribution demonstrated a great potential for its extension to the early micronaire testing in remote/breeding locations, and also to regular cotton fibers, processed cotton yarns and fabrics.

Prediction of upland cotton micronaire accounting for the effects of environment and crop demand from fruit growth

AbstractEnvironment and crop management can play an important role in determining upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fiber quality. An important quality parameter is fiber micronaire, which is an indirect measure of fiber linear density (fineness) and maturity, and it is affected by crop supply and partitioning of assimilates to cotton fruit. High micronaire occurs when there is an excess of assimilates because of good growing conditions and fruit number is low. Conversely low micronaire occurs when growing conditions are poor and fruit number is high. Little research has established the degree of impact of these variables in combination influencing micronaire. Two field experiments were conducted to generate variability in micronaire by changing planting time, cultivars, canopy size, and fruit load (boll number). From these experiments, a significant relationship (r2 = 0.79) to predict micronaire was generated using temperature during crop fiber filling, leaf area index (LAI) at the start of crop fiber thickening, and the mass of individual bolls at harvest. Subsequent experiments in different seasons (included variations in planting time, fruit load, and water deficit during fiber thickening) successfully validated the relationship. Reasonable success was attained in predicting fiber linear density and maturity ratio independently and then used to calculate estimates of micronaire. Prediction of these quality attributes may offer more detailed information on the effects of environment and management influencing fiber quality affecting yarn quality. Overall, the ability to predict micronaire (and potentially its components) could be used to refine management decisions to improve fiber quality management prior to or at harvest time.

English

Micronutrients and supplemental irrigations were evaulated in split plot design to improve hybrid cotton micronaire in last picking. Farmer's practices (FP) of sole hybrid cotton, soybean+pigeon pea (4:1) and cotton + pigeon pea (8:2) stripcroppings were compared alongwith soybean as intercrop in the existing cotton+pigeonpea stripcropping (8:2) for micronutrient requirement, rain water conservation and profitability. Soybean cultivation is best suited and most profitable in shallow soils of <0.45 m deep. Novel strip cropping of cotton + soybean + pigeon pea (4:4:2) alongwith opening of conservation furrow in pigeon pea with a profitability of 41 and 58% over sole cotton in shallow and medium deep soils. Micronutrients requirement was not arise with moderate cotton yield levels of sole and strip cropped cotton as INM application 5 t FYM ha-1 year-3,  compared to its absence in farmer’s fields improved 15 to 35% seed cotton yield in Bt hybrid cotton under rainfed and two supplemental irrigations. Significant responses were observed for supplemental irrigations in low rainfall years alongwith Mn, B application in improving micronaire, seed cotton yield and profitability. Premium range of cotton micronaire was produced in last pick under rainfed and two supplemental irrigations in shallow and medium soils by Mn and B at 0.5 and 0.3% foliar spray 3 times after square initiation at fortnightly interval. Soil application of MnSO4 at 25 kg ha-1 year-3 and Borax at 10 kg ha-1 year-3, respectively in rainfed calcareous shallow and medium deep soils along with supplemental irrigations could improve micronaire.   Key words: Boron, conservation furrow, hybrid cotton, manganese, medium deep soils,  micronaire, pigeon pea, profitability, strip cropping, soybean, shallow soils, supplemental irrigations.

Evaluation of regional cotton trial environments based on cotton fiber micronaire selection by using GGE biplot analysis

Cotton fiber micronaire is an important fiber trait which is directly related to yarn quality.This element of quality is the main limiting factor in cotton fiber quality improvement in the Yangtze River Valley.The optimal arrangement of a regional trial scheme is based on representative trial location identification.This is critical in enhancing both micronaire selection efficiency and regional trial cost-savings.Biplot GGE analysis has been the most useful statistical and visual tool for trial location evaluation and representative location selection,and it has been extensively adopted in cultivar stability and trial location similarity analysis in several crops.So far,however,little has been done in terms of cotton regional trial location evaluation based on fiber micronaire selection.The objective of this study was to single out ideal trial locations in cotton micronaire selection using biplot GGE analysis.The method was applied to 27 independent sets of cotton variety regional trials in 15 trail locations in the Yangtze River Valley in 2000 2010.Based on the evaluation variables of desirability indexes for fiber micronaire selection,the order of the 15 trial locations was Jingzhou City Huanggang City Nantong City Jiujiang City Yueyang City Shehong City Changde City Anqing City Wuhan City Nanyang City Nanjing City Cixi City Xiangyang City Jianyang City Yancheng City.Jingzhou City of Hubei Province was the most ideal trial location,while Huanggang City of Hubei Province,Nantong City of Jiangsu Province and Jiujiang City of Jiangxi Province were the ideal trial locations.It implied that these locations were the most effective for eurytopic cotton cultivar selection and regional test points of optimal cultivar identification based on cotton fiber micronaire in the Yangtze River Valley.On the other hand,the cotton trial locations in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provincial coastal fields(Yancheng and Cixi) were not suitable for cotton fiber micronaire selection in the Yangtze River Valley.This article has fully demonstrated the efficiency of biplot GGE application in regional trial environment evaluation and therefore laid the theoretical basis for decision-making regarding fiber micronaire selection in regional/national cotton trials schemes in the Yangtze River Valley.

New Approaches for Field Analyses of Cotton Quality by Means of Near-IR Spectroscopy Supported by Chemometrics

There is a strong economic interest in routine measurements of cotton quality as production processes and final products depend on it. An important cotton property is “micronaire,” a parameter that is indicative of the fibers' maturity and its fineness. Currently, micronaire is normally measured in laboratories with equipment that prohibits routine field analyses. The goal of this study is a proof-of-principle demonstrating that cotton quality as determined via fiber micronaire is correlated to fiber properties and that these properties can be determined by near-infrared (NIR) reflection spectroscopy using portable instrumentation in conjunction with Principal Component Regression for micronaire prediction. A set of 191 cotton samples was acquired from over 100 different upland cotton varieties, and initial spectroscopic studies confirmed the feasibility of NIR spectroscopy to measure cotton micronaire in the laboratory with portable NIR instrumentation. Sample reproducibility was an issue which has been resolved with two approaches, that is, model spectral artifacts, mainly baseline shifts, by means of chemometric calibrations or application of second derivative spectroscopy to suppress baseline drifts. Results from this study demonstrated in up to 90% of the test samples that the micronaire values fall into the acceptance range. Thus, a promising new approach for field analyses is on the horizon and has been assessed in this study. Further, the acceptance range could be reduced to ±0.2 m.u. and still ≥70% of the samples fell inside the restricted acceptance range. Up to 60% of the samples fell inside an acceptance range of ±0.1 m.u.

An Approach to Determine Calibration Samples in NIR Modelling for Cotton Fibre Strength

adopted for cotton fi bre quality assessment, little effort has been made to unravel the relationship between the two. In the latest study, 5 we have not only demonstrated the consistency of strength readings between two instruments if the strength readings were divided by cotton micronaire, but also developed a better NIR model by using the modifi ed strength index rather than using raw strength data as reference values. Nevertheless, two strength readings from two independent strength tests should be highly correlated if the cotton fi bres used for the testing are homogeneous. This concept could be implemented before developing a NIR model on cotton strength to select an appropriate sample set.

Near Infrared Measurement of Cotton Fiber Micronaire by Portable Near Infrared Instrumentation

In the U.S.A., cotton is classed (primary quality parameters) by the Uster ® High Volume Instrument (HVI), which must be maintained under tightly controlled laboratory environmental conditions. Improved and fast response quality measurement systems and tools are needed to rapidly assess the quality of cotton. One key area of emphasis and need is the development and implementation of new fast-response quality measurements that can be used not only in the laboratory but which also can be adapted to field and at-line quality measurements. A program was implemented to determine the ability of portable near-infrared (NIR) instrumentation to monitor critical fiber properties of cotton samples in the laboratory, at-line, and in the field, with initial emphasis on the laboratory measurement of cotton fiber micronaire. Micronaire is a key cotton property, and it is an indicator of the fiber’s maturity and fineness. Distinct NIR spectral differences between samples with varying micronaire were observed. A comparative evaluation was performed to determine optimum instrumental conditions for laboratory cotton micronaire measurements. The comparative evaluation established that the optimum instrumental conditions for laboratory measurements of micronaire was obtained with the use of a glass-covered sampling port and increased instrumental gain, with high R2 values, low residuals, and with ≤ 12% outliers. For a NIR measurement with potential for multiple simultaneous analyses and non-laboratory measurements, the micronaire measurement was fast (< 3 min per sample) and easy to perform. The rapid and accurate laboratory measurement of cotton fiber micronaire with portable NIR instrumentation was demonstrated.

Near Infrared Measurement of Cotton Fiber Micronaire, Maturity and Fineness - a Comparative Investigation

A key cotton fiber quality property is micronaire, which acts as an indicator of the fiber’s maturity and fineness. Previous studies have demonstrated the ability of Near Infrared (NIR) instrumentation to measure these cotton properties with varying degrees of success, but these studies did not provide conclusions on the capabilities of NIR spectroscopy as a general technique for these analyses. Recent advances in NIR technology could result in improved measurements of these cotton properties. A comparative investigation was implemented to determine the capabilities of modern commercial bench-top and portable NIR systems to monitor cotton fiber micronaire, maturity, and fineness in order to gain insight as to the “universality” of the NIR measurements for these fiber properties. Cotton samples were analyzed on five commercial systems and an older, custom-built system. Very good spectral agreement was observed between the portable and bench-top NIR units. The rapid and simultaneous measurement of cotton micronaire, maturity, and fineness by multiple commercial systems was demonstrated and compared favorably to the custom system, but without the delay and cost in building custom units. For the bench-top NIR systems, all end-state criteria were successfully meet. The “universal” nature of the NIR measurement of these cotton fiber properties was validated for commercial NIR systems. As expected, the NIR results for the portable NIR units were normally not as good as those for the bench-top instruments, but they were very acceptable for demonstrating the potential for the portable units to measure these cotton fiber properties.

Effect of Tillage on Double-cropped Flax/Cotton Production and Fiber Properties

There currently are no data on using reduced tillage for flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) production when double-cropped after cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in the southeastern USA. This study evaluated how tillage and subsoiling influenced double-cropped flax and cotton productivity and quality under conditions in the southeastern USA. An irrigated study on a loamy sand soil (Eunola loamy sand) was conducted beginning in spring 2001 through spring 2003. Treatments evaluated in both crops were subsoiling (subsoiled to 30-cm or none) and tillage (chisel plow to 20-cm plus disking, disking only, and no tillage). Standard fiber test methods were used to evaluate treatment effects on fiber properties. Subsoiling increased the cotton and flax yield. Cotton yields were not influenced by tillage treatment while flax dry plant matter yields were greater for chisel and disk treatments compared with the no-tillage treatments. Fiber properties, cotton micronaire, fiber length, and fiber length uniformity, and flax fiber strength were impacted by tillage. Our results indicate that for this double-crop system, no tillage with subsoiling is a viable practice for cotton but further research is needed to improve flax productivity with this management practice.

Some Relationships of Cotton Micronaire Reading and Carding Parameters to Card Loading, Sliver Quailty, and Processing Performance

Some Relationships of Cotton Micronaire Reading and Carding Parameters to Card Loading, Sliver Quailty, and Processing Performance