Location: Cotton Quality and Innovation Research
2023 Annual Report
Accomplishments
1. Classification of cotton fiber maturity genotypes with Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The development of the secondary cell wall of a cotton fiber through the deposition of cellulose is referred to as maturity. Cotton fiber maturity is an important trait for the textile industry as it impacts fiber strength, entanglements, and dyeing. In general, cotton fiber geneticists have identified a mutation that prevents fibers from maturing. Crossing the immature mutant with standard, wild-type, cottons results in offspring that either have the mutation causing immature fibers or do not. Researchers in New Orleans, Louisiana, developed an innovative data analysis approach for Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic measurements of the fiber samples. With the help of a statistical technique called Soft Independent Modeling of Class Analogy of Principal Component Analysis (SIMCA/PCA) we could determine the difference between fibers from plants with and without the mutation. Conventional fiber measurements were unable to detect differences. The results could provide cotton researchers a sensitive and rapid tool for monitoring subtle differences within the fibers and further for understanding and quickly evaluate the impact of mutations that may affect fiber maturity.
2. Development of cotton leaf grade algorithm for use independent of cotton classification systems. Practically every bale of cotton is classified and graded by the USDA-Agricultural Marketing Service including the assignment of leaf grade, a measure of non-fiber content. Cotton classification takes place after samples are shipped from the gin to a Classing Office and results are delivered seven to ten days later. Leaf grade is determined using a non-public proprietary system. ARS researchers in New Orleans, Louisiana, have developed an independent method that can predict the assigned leaf grade correctly on 87% of the samples, as tested in a commercial gin. Because this method is fast, it will allow for correction of problems during the ginning process quickly. It may also reduce bale handling costs, labor and energy, by providing data for cotton warehouse organization more efficiently than the current delayed process.
Review Publications
Santiago-Cintron, M., Hinchliffe, D.J., Hron, R. 2023. Comparison of focal plane array FTIR pixel binning size for the nondestructive determination of cotton fiber maturity distributions. Fibers and Polymers. 24:1473-1482. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12221-023-00149-0.
Delhom, C.D., Wanjura, J.D., Hequet, E.F. 2022. Cotton fiber elongation – a review. Journal of Textile Institute. Article 2157940. https://doi.org/10.1080/00405000.2022.2157940.
Delhom, C.D., Wanjura, J.D., Pelletier, M.G., Holt, G.A., Hequet, E.F. 2023. Investigation into a practical approach and application of cotton fiber elongation. Journal of Cotton Research. 6. Article 2. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42397-023-00139-w.
Kim, H.J., Delhom, C.D., Jones, D.C., Xu, B. 2023. Comparative analyses of a maturity distributional parameter evaluating immature fibre contents by reference microscopic analysis and conventional fibre measurement methods. Journal of Textile Institute. Article 2204460. https://doi.org/10.1080/00405000.2023.2204460.
Hardin, R.G., Barnes, E.M., Delhom, C.D., Wanjura, J.D., Ward, J.K. 2022. Internet of things: cotton production and processing. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2022.107294.
Zeng, L., Wu, J., Delhom, C.D. 2022. Genetic improvement of lint yield by selections of within-boll yield components based on commonality analysis. Euphytica. 218. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-022-03071-3.
Naoumkina, M.A., Florane, C.B., Kim, H.J., Santiago Cintron, M., Delhom, C.D. 2023. Overexpression of an actin Gh_D04G0865 gene in cotton reduced fineness of fiber. Crop Science. 63:740-749. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20888.
Edwards, J.V., Prevost, N.T., Santiago Cintron, M. 2023. A comparison of hemostatic activities of zeolite-based formulary finishes on cotton dressings. Journal of Functional Biomaterials. 14(5):255. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb14050255.
Hron, R.J., Hinchliffe, D.J., Thyssen, G.N., Condon, B.D., Zeng, L., Santiago Cintron, M., Jenkins, J.N., Mccarty Jr, J.C., Sui, R. 2023. Interrelationships between cotton fiber quality traits and fluid handling and moisture management properties of nonwoven textiles. Textile Research Journal. https://doi.org/10.1177/00405175221132011.
Kim, H.J., Liu, Y., Thyssen, G.N., Naoumkina, M.A., Frelichowski, J.E. 2023. Phenomics and transcriptomics analyses reveal deposition of suberin and lignin in the short fiber cell walls produced from a wild cotton species and two mutants. PLOS ONE. 18. Article e0282799. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0282799.
Delhom, C.D., Van Der Sluijs, M.J., Wanjura, J.D., Thomas, J.W. 2023. Evaluation of practices to unwrap round cotton modules. Journal of Cotton Science. 27:90-101. https://doi.org/10.56454/IPOU8527.
