Lint Fiber Research Articles

Dry matter production, nutrient uptake, and growth of cotton as affected by potassium fertilization1

Insufficient potassium (K) nutrition produces detrimental effects on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) lint yield and fiber quality. To further understand the deleterious effects caused by K deficiency, a 2‐yr (1991 and 1992) field study was conducted to determine how dry matter partitioning and nutrient concentrations of various plant tissues for the cotton genotypes, ‘DES 119’ and ‘MD 51 ne’, were altered by varying the application rate of fertilizer K and nitrogen (N). All plots received a preplant application of 112 kg N ha‐1, and half of the plots were later sidedressed with an additional 38 kg N ha‐1. Within each N treatment, half the plots received 112 kg K ha‐1, preplant incorporated, with the remaining plots not receiving any fertilizer K. Dry matter harvests were taken three times in 1991 and two times in 1992. At cutout (slowing of vegetative growth and flowering), plants that received K fertilization had a 14% more leaf area index (LAI), a 3% increase in the number of main stem nodes, and a 2% increase in plant height. However, those plants had a 12% lower specific leaf weight (SLW) than plants receiving no K fertilization. By the end of season, the of K fertilization had resulted in more stem (21%), bur (13%), seed (19%), and lint weight (20%), but harvest index was not affected. Varying the level of N fertilization did not affect any of these dry matter parameters at any harvest. In general, the larger plants produced under K fertilization had reduced concentrations of N, phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), and sodium (Na) in the various plant parts. While N uptake efficiency was not affected by K fertility, plants that received K fertilization had increased efficiency of fertilizer N use and of N utilization within the plant. The smaller LAI of the K deficient plants probably reduced the photosynthetic capacity per plant. A reduced assimilation capacity could explain the inefficiency of N use, lint yield reductions, and poorer fiber quality often associated with K deficiencies.

Effects of Repeated Applications of Trifluralin and Pendimethalin on Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

The dinitroaniline herbicides, trifluralin and pendimethalin, are applied to approximately 90% of land seeded to cotton on the Texas Southern High Plains. Trifluralin and pendimethalin at 0.6 and 1.1 kg ai/ha were applied annually to plots from 1983 through 1994. Cotton stand counts, lint yield, and fiber quality varied from year-to-year due to environmental conditions. Differences in lint yield or fiber quality over the 11-yr period were not related to herbicide applications.

Ivyleaf Morningglory (Ipomoea hederacea) Interference with Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

Full-season interference and critical duration of early-season ivyleaf morningglory interference with cotton were measured in experiments at two Oklahoma locations. Densities ranging from 0 to 64 weeds/10 m of row were evaluated for their effects on cotton lint yield, fiber quality, and harvest efficiency. Analyses using linear-linear regression proved superior to linear, curvilinear, and linear-plateau models. Lint yield reductions of 36.9 kg/ha (or 5.9%) were recorded at Perkins for each weed/10 m up to 8.7. At densities greater than 8.7/10 m, yield was reduced an additional 3.0 kg/ha (0.5%) for each additional weed. At Chickasha, lint yield was reduced 29.7 kg/ha (or 3.9%) for each weed/10 m up to 9.0 with an additional lint loss of 3.6 kg/ha (0.7%) for each weed above the density of 9.0/10 m. Yield losses were over 80% before fiber length was also reduced. Mechanical harvest was not possible at densities above 8 weeds/10 m at Chickasha and above 16 weeds/10 m at Perkins. In critical duration experiments conducted at Perkins, lint yield was reduced 52.9 kg/ha (or 11.2%) for each week weed removal was delayed up to 9.5 wk. An additional 1.0 kg/ha (0.2%) was lost for each week of interference after 9.5 wk. At Chickasha, lint yield was reduced 49.0 kg/ha (or 7.8%) for each week of interference up to 11.0 wk with an additional loss of 1.2 kg/ha (0.2%) for each week thereafter.

Fine Structural Aspects of Cotton Fiber Attachment to the Seed Coat: Morphological Factors Affecting Saw Ginning of Lint Cotton

We analyzed cytological aspects of fiber attachment and the effect of hand and saw ginning with transmission and low-temperature electron microscopy At the junction of the lint fiber to the seed coat surface there is an angular region or elbow, containing thick primary cell-wall material that apparently adds to the strength of fiber attachment to the seed coat. A protective wax layer covers the entire seed coat surface and is continuous along the surface of all fibers. Removal of full-length lint fibers during saw ginning results in a clean separation from the wax layer and primary wall just above the elbow junction, as occurs with hand ginning. Separation can be by cutting, in which case secondary cell wall is severed at the seed coat surface, or by pulling away of the intact fiber along with secondary cell-wall material present in the shank region of the fiber cell. These findings indicate that improving the yield of full-length lint fibers during saw ginning may require pretreatments to loosen the cell-wall structure at the neck region. This may involve partial dissolution of the cuticular wax layer on the fiber to improve penetration of any aqueous pretreatment(s).

Effects of sowing cowpea on properties of an irrigated Vertisol and growth and yield of succeeding cotton

The effects of sowing a break crop of cowpea on soil properties, nutrient uptake, growth, and yield of furrow-irrigated cotton were evaluated in a trial conducted from 1993 to 1995 in a Typic Haplustert (Vertisol) with high subsoil compaction in north-western New South Wales, Australia. The experimental treatments were cowpea (Vigna unguiculata Walp.)-cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), continuous cotton, and long-fallow cotton (cotton alternating annually with a bare fallow). Cotton was sown in all plots in 1994 with minimum tillage. Soil was sampled to a depth of 0.6 m in August 1993, May–June 1994, and April 1995. Soil properties evaluated were organic matter fractions, resilience (a measure of the self-mulching ability of the soil), plastic limit, strength (as cone resistance), shrinkage indices derived from shrinkage curves, exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, and Na, pH, nitrate-N, and electrical conductivity. Profile water content and water extraction, nutrient uptake, crop vegetative growth, cotton lint yield, and fibre quality were also quantified. Compared with fallowing, sowing either cotton or cowpea in 1993 decreased pH and aggregate size formed after puddling and drying, and increased soil organic matter and plastic limit. Cropping also increased exchangeable cations in the surface 0.3 m of the soil. Nitrate-N in the 0–0.15 m depth was 23% higher after cowpea than after fallow. Amelioration of soil compaction was quickest in the short-term where continuous cotton was sown, but was also observed with time in plots where cowpea was sown in 1993. In comparison with cowpea-cotton and long-fallow cotton, continuous cotton had the highest nutrient uptake. Growth of cotton sown after either fallow or cotton was greater than that of cotton sown after cowpea, with lint yield being highest in the previously fallowed plots. Lint fibre quality did not differ significantly between treatments. Overall, the benefits of sowing cowpea in terms of improvements in soil properties and crop yields were either small or negligible in comparison with fallowing or sowing cotton.

Digestibility of cotton lint fiber and whole oilseeds by ruminal microorganisms

In two series of experiments, rumen microbial digestion of whole oilseeds was measured in sacco (Experiment 1) and of cotton lint, both in sacco and in vitro (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, two ruminally-fistulated cows were fed diets without or with added fat (500 g d −1) in the form of animal-vegetable blend, calcium soaps of tallow fatty acids, or whole oilseeds (cotton, sunflower, soybean). Both cows were fed all the above diets in sequence (3-week periods) and ADF digestibility of ground orchardgrass incubated in sacco for 12, 24, and 48 h, and DM, N, and fatty acid digestibilities of seeds of cotton, sunflower, and soya incubated in sacco for 48 h were measured. There were no diet effects on digestibilities; orchardgrass ADF digestibility (%) was 26.3, 40.0, and 47.3 (SEM = 0.631) at 12, 24, and 48 h, respectively. Digestibility at 48 h of DM, N, and fatty acids for seeds of cotton, sunflower, and soya, respectively, were 8.40, 0.94, and −5.86; 8.25, −5.18, and −16.42; 52.79, 38.65, and 36.60. Digestibilities of all components were higher for soya ( P < 0.0001). In Experiment 2, cotton linters were incubated in sacco and in vitro for periods varying from 12 to 120 h. Digestibility at 12 h was essentially zero, even though microbial colonization of fibers was observed microscopically. Digestibility was linear from 12 to 72 h of incubation, indicating that cellulolytic activity was limiting. Soaking fibers 24 h in distilled water prior to incubation increased digestibility ( P < 0.0001). Ether extraction prior to incubation improved digestibility and appeared to be additive with wetting. Soaking fibers in 4% NaOH for 24 h had a variably positive effect on digestibility. It is postulated that the delay in digestion of cotton fibers after colonization was caused by the highly crystalline structure of cotton fibers, which hydrates slowly. Ether extraction removed a hydrophobic layer which allowed water to penetrate more rapidly. Alkali treatment did not change crystallinity of cotton fibers. The lag in digestion of cotton fibers would increase the pool size of undigested fiber in ruminants fed whole linted cottonseed.

Inclusion of plant structure and fiber quality into a distributed delay cotton model to improve management and optimize profit

Abstract This research introduces a simple variation of distributed delay algorithms to solve some relevant problems in simulation of plant development. Cotton was used as a case study. An energy-based model of cotton plant growth was expanded to account for production of fruit at different main-stem nodes and fruiting branch positions. The inclusion of plant structure in a simulation model permitted more accurate estimation of projected harvest value. The implications to crop and pest management are two-fold. Higher levels of resolution in the plant structure can result in improved estimates of crop value and insect economic injury levels. More explicit representation of plant structure provides a more natural framework for integrated insect models based on organism behavior such as location and fruit size preference. An algorithm is presented to enhance the resolution of ecological applications that include developmental variability. The effects of cotton plant structure on cotton lint yield and fiber quality were determined for a short-season cultivar, TAMCOT CD3H. An existing cotton plant model, COTSIM, was used and adapted to short-season production. The cotton plant model was modified to include plant architecture. Fiber quality parameters and yield of fruit at different branch positions were determined for the test cultivar. Arrays corresponding to different fruiting branch positions and fiber property trends were constructed to better corresponde with patterns observed in field data. These patterns showed that fiber properties are closely associated with the positions on a fruiting branch. The development of fruit position-cohorts was modeled using an algorithm that simulates the distribution of growth rates with a time-distributed delay. This algorithm was extended to include arrays to represent fruit produced at different fruiting branch positions on the plant. The model predicted observed fruiting data from non-stressed plants well. The inclusion of the effects of plant structure on cotton yield and fiber quality permitted a more accurate determination of cotton prices. In addition, when linked to insect pest models, this model will simulate a dynamic, position-dependent effect of insect damage on fruiting structures and economic loss.

Diallel analysis of yield components, fibre quality and bacterial blight resistance using spaced plants of cotton

Hayman analysis for lint percentage, boll weight, fibre quality and bacterial blight resistance of a ten-parent half-diallel set of crosses was conducted in Upland cotton. The ten parents represented a fixed sample of the best germplasm available to Australian breeders for the characters of commercial importance. Heterosis and inbreeding depression were detected particulady for boll weight and blight resistance. An analysis of genetic components and parameters indicated that since additive effects were substantial and heritability high, early-generation selection of spaced plants and pure-line breeding should be successful. Some genotypes were identified as being potentially good donors for hybridization since they possessed dominant genes for improved character expression. Acala C-1 was identified as the first-choice parent for increased boll size. Coker 315 for increased span length, while Namcala was the best parent for breeding improved fibre strength. McNair 220 possessed the most dominant genes for high lint percentage. Reba P279 and Siokra were the only parents with resistance to the prevelant race of bacterial blight.

Cottonseed Linters

The cottonseed linter or fuzz fiber is the short cellulosic fiber that is left after the staple cotton fiber is removed from the seed surface by ginning. Cottonseed linters differ essentially from cotton lint (normal length fibers) in length and to some extent morphology. X-ray evidence illustrates that both linters and lint are largely alpha cellulose with almost identical amounts of crystalline fractions. Elemental analysis and electron and light microscopic techniques have been used to reveal the differences and similarities between lint and linter fiber content and structure.

Cotton Dust Concentrations and Particle Size Distributions Associated with Genotypes

The problem of byssinosis has plagued cotton textile mills for hundreds of years, and it is still a problem today. With the regulations on airborne raw cotton dust set by OSHA and the ACGIH, research regarding the measurement of cotton dust in lint fiber is a necessity. A procedure known as the mass concentration particle size distribution (MCPSD) technique, developed at Texas A&amp;M University, was used to measure the characteristics of cotton dust as affected by harvesting method and genotype. Cotton genotypes from three harvest seasons were analyzed by using a Coulter Counter, Model TAII, to obtain the mass concentrations and particle size distributions of dust present in the lint fiber. The genotypes were subjected to both hand harvesting and conventional spindle harvesting for comparison purposes. Results from the dust concentration analyses of particles less than 100 micron, 16 micron, and 8 micron in diameter, respectively, are presented. Also, a proposed procedure to obtain large quantities of "cotton dust" from gin trash material is discussed.

Cotton dust concentrations and particle size distributions associated with genotypes.

The problem of byssinosis has plagued cotton textile mills for hundreds of years, and it is still a problem today. With the regulations on airborne raw cotton dust set by OSHA and the ACGIH, research regarding the measurement of cotton dust in lint fiber is a necessity. A procedure known as the mass concentration particle size distribution (MCPSD) technique, developed at Texas A&M University, was used to measure the characteristics of cotton dust as affected by harvesting method and genotype. Cotton genotypes from three harvest seasons were analyzed by using a Coulter Counter, Model TAII, to obtain the mass concentrations and particle size distributions of dust present in the lint fiber. The genotypes were subjected to both hand harvesting and conventional spindle harvesting for comparison purposes. Results from the dust concentration analyses of particles less than 100 micron, 16 micron, and 8 micron in diameter, respectively, are presented. Also, a proposed procedure to obtain large quantities of "cotton dust" from gin trash material is discussed.

Measurement of Cotton Dust in Lint Fibers

ABSTRACT Aprocedure has been developed for determining the mass concentration-particle size distribution (MCPSD) of dust present in lint fiber. Combining a known mass of lint and its mass concentration of dust with the associated particle size distribution as determined by the Coulter Counter* Model TAII yielded a relative measure of the mass of dust per mass of lint fiber. The procedure proved to be repeatable and was used to analyze cotton lint samples in order to (a) differentiate between unknown cotton samples based on their dust content/particle size distribution, and (b) observe the effect of multiple Hnt cleanings on the dust content within various samples...

Cellulose Content in Fibers of Cottons which Differ in their Lint Lengths and Extent of Fuzz

AbstractThree cottons differing in their extent of fuzz fibers (linters) and final length of lint fibers were analyzed for amount of fiber cell walls and fiber cellulose at various times postanthesis. Cellulose determinations were performed directly on whole fibers and on fiber cell wall preparations. The data suggest that the presence of fuzz fibers does not account for a rise, followed by a plateau, followed by a rise, in cellulose content expressed as a percentage of cell wall material. It is concluded that: (1) under our greenhouse conditions, all fuzz fibers are initiated by day eight after anthesis; (2) weight per mm length of all fibers increases up to the point of secondary wall deposition and increases even more rapidly after that; (3) deposition of secondary wall cellulose in fuzz fibers probably does not begin until after similar deposition begins in lint fibers; (4) the actual amount of cellulose in primary walls of all elongating fibers (fuzz and lint) is a constant value, about 1 × 10−16 mg/mm; and (5) secondary wall cellulose deposition in lint fibers begins very sharply, in advance of cessation of elongation, at a time closely related to final lint fiber length. It is speculated that: (1) cell wall preparation procedures may remove significant amounts of noncellulosic wall material, thus making it difficult to define all functional constituents on the basis of what is left in a cell wall residue; and/or (2) primary walls may lose to the cytoplasm some of their constituents in advance of secondary wall deposition, the extent of loss varying due to developmental age of the elongating fibers.

Growth and Development of the Lint Fibers of Pima S‐4 Cotton1

Lint fiber elongation, lint dry weight per seed, and lint dry weight per seed per unit length, was studied from anthesis to maturity in field‐grown ‘Pima S‐4’ cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.). These parameters of fiber growth and differentiation were plotted against boll age and fitted to best‐fit curves by curvilinear regression analysis. The curve fitting procedures yielded mathematical equations which were differentiated to give rate curves. Fiber growth stopped 39 days after anthesis. Splining analysis of fiber dry weight and fiber dry weight per unit length showed that the lint weight per unit length ratio was constant to 17.99 ± 2.35 days. This is the time that secondary wall thickening begins. This analysis also indicates that during the 48‐day boll development period, both fiber elongation and secondary wall thickening were occurring simultaneously for 21 days. During the 21‐day overlap period, 19.7% of the final fiber length was attained. At the end of fiber elongation, fiber dry weight and fiber dry weight per unit length had reached 90% of their final values. These data show that fiber elongation and secondary wall thickening are not separate phases and a substantial amount of secondary wall thickening occurred before fiber elongation stopped. This degree of overlap of fiber growth and differentiation phases is more striking than for upland cottons and may be related to the fact that the maximum rate of elongation continues for 12 days longer in ‘Pima S‐4’ compared to ‘Stoneville 213’ cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). The findings reported here show that deposition of almost pure cellulose in the secondary wall does not immediately stop all of fiber elongation.

Cotton Fiber Development‐Kinetics of Cell Elongation and Secondary Wall Thickening1

The development of lint fibers of field‐grown ‘Stoneville 213’ cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) was studied from anthesis to maturity with reference to lint fiber elongation, dry lint weight per seed, and dry lint weight per seed per unit of length. These variables were plotted against boll age and fitted to appropriate best‐fit curves by computer curvilinear regression analysis. The curve‐fitting procedures yielded mathematical equations which were differentiated to give accurate growth rate curves. The elongation rate curve showed that lint fiber elongation ceased at 27 days after anthesis. At that time, dry fiber weight and dry fiber weight per unit length had reached 40% of their final values. Splining analysis of the data shows that fiber dry weight per unit length ceased to be constant at 16 to 19 days after anthesis; theoretically, this is the age at which secondary wall thickening began. These data strongly suggests that the elongation and secondary wall thickening phases were not separated in time and that a substantial portion of secondary wall thickening occurred before fiber elongation ceased.

Weed Competition in Cotton. I. Sicklepod and Tall Morningglory

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutumL.) was grown at two locations in Alabama during 1966 to 1969 with specific densities of sicklepod (Cassia obtusifoliaL.) and tall morningglory (Ipomoea purpureaL. Roth). Competition from sicklepod and tall morningglory caused cotton yield reductions at densities as low as eight weeds per 7.31 m of row. Tall morningglory was usually more competitive than sicklepod in cotton. Both species were more competitive on Lucedale sandy clay loam than on Norfolk sandy loam. Sicklepod at eight weeds per 7.31 m of row reduced yields from 10 to 23% on the Norfolk soil and approximately 40% on the Lucedale soil. At the highest density, 48 sicklepod plants per 7.31 m of row, yields were reduced 45 to 65% on the Norfolk soil and approximately 80% on the Lucedale soil. Tall morningglory at a density of eight weeds per 7.31 m of row reduced cotton yields 10 to 40% on the Norfolk soil and 50 to 75% on the Lucedale soil. Vegetative growth, boll, and seed size were not affected as much as cotton yields by competition. Percentage lint and lint fiber properties were unaffected by competition.

Electron Microscopy of the Developing Cotton Fiber

Cotton fibers are single cells that arise by virtue of elongation of certain cells in the outer epidermal layer of the outer integument of the cottonseed. Guard cells are present in this epidermal layer of the cottonseed, but the majority of the cells are cuboidal in nature (Fig. A). These cuboidal cells either elongate to become lint fibers or fuzz fibers or fail to elongate and simply remain as epidermal cells. Initiation of elongation of epidermal cells that ultimately become lint fibers occurs at anthesis. The mature lint fiber is a single cell having a diameter of some 20 micra and which is frequently over an inch in length.

Further studies in cutaneous reactions to glass fibers.

In a controlled double-blind study, young adult subjects wore underclothing which had been laundered with glass fiber fabrics made from libers of three different diameters. The under-clothing and washer rinsings were analyzed for the presence of glass fiber lint Glass fiber lint was found in every sample tested. The same subjects were exposed repeatedly to glass fibers and fabrics by means of rubbing experiments, patch tests, and direct wearing tests. Only the coarsest fibers caused any significant cutaneous reaction. The reactions were mild, transitory, and interpreted as being mechanical in nature. No sensitization to glass fibers was noted. From these studies, it would appear that glass fibers less than 18.0 × 10-5 inches in diameter do not irritate human skin either as fabric or lint but that glass fibers of a magnitude greater than 21 × 10-5 inches will likely cause mechanical irritation of the skin.

The Effect of Late Season Infestations of the Strawberry Spider Mite, Tetranychus atlanticus, on Cotton Production

Infestations of the strawberry spider mite, Tetranychus atlanticus McGregor, artificially established in a replicated small-plot field experiment late in the growing season of 1962 reduced total yield of seed cotton 13% to 22%. Boll size was reduced, seed viability lowered, and lint production and fiber maturity were significantly impaired. Introduction of mites at 3 population levels resulted in high and only slightly different population densities 10 days later. Mite feeding produced rapid and pronounced reddening of the leaves and total defoliation within 40 days irrespective of the number of mites used in establishing the infestation. High daily temperatures and limited rainfall appeared to favor mite development.

A Microscopical Study of the Effects of Some Typical Chemical Environments on the Primary Wall of the Cotton Fiber

The topography and structure of the primary wall of the cotton lint fiber are described and illustrated by electron micrographs. The changes in this thin membrane brought about by alkali boil (kiering), hypochlorite and peroxide bleaching, mercerization, acid hydrolysis, and dry heat are shown by means of microscopical examination of isolated pieces of the primary wall after exposure to these environments. The noncellulosic constituents of the wall, which account for a large part of its chemical composition, are progressively removed during alkaline kiering. Excessive conditions of kiering appear to damage the cellulose framework of the wall. Peroxide bleaching is apparently effective in removing the encrusting noncellulosic material, but hypo chlorite alone does not have this effect. Mercerization of the isolated wall induces shrinkage in both longitudinal and transverse directions; the shrinkage increases when the noncellulosic materials are removed from the membrane prior to mercerization. The morphology and struc ture of the wall account for the observed behavior on mercerization, and electron micrographs of the mercerized wall show a shrunken network of cellulose fibrils. The primary wall shows resistance to disintegration by acid hydrolysis, and its fibrillar pattern is preserved intact, after long periods of contact with hot mineral acid. Long periods of heating in air "set" the primary wall in a configuration similar to that which it had on the corrugated surface of the cotton fiber. The contribution of the primary wall to certain gross properties of the fiber and its behavior during finishing treatments is discussed.