Author
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Anthony, William |
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Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 1/4/2005 Publication Date: 1/7/2005 Citation: Anthony, W.S. 2005. Ginning research issues for fiber utilization. National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference. CD ROM pp. 2657-2667. Interpretive Summary: The quality of cotton produced in the United States is suitable for some markets but not for others. Consequently in order to be a major participant in the global cotton economy, further technology is required for the U.S. cotton production system in many areas including cotton ginning. The major issues restricting the U.S. in worldwide cotton competition were reviewed and summarized. Three major areas related to ginning were identified: Fiber-seed separation (ginning), moisture management, and lint cleaning. The saw-type gin stand aggressively removes tufts of fiber from the cottonseed, causing some fibers to break at less than their full length. Thus, new, less damaging technology for fiber-seed separation would greatly increase the utility of cotton fiber. Moisture management from harvesting through bale storage is critical to high quality cotton. Available moisture management technology should be used by farmers and ginners. However, better methods to measure the moisture of cotton bales are needed. Improved systems to restore needed moisture to fiber before fiber-seed separation are needed to maintain fiber length and minimize short fibers. Conventional saw-type lint cleaners clean cotton efficiently but damage the fiber; they also discard too much fiber with the foreign matter. New, less-damaging methods to clean fiber after fiber-seed separation are needed. Success in these three areas would greatly increase the utilization potential of cotton and make it more competitive in the global cotton industry. Technical Abstract: This report elucidates major research issues related to ginning that are needed to enhance the quality and utility of U.S. cotton. Three major areas are identified: Fiber-seed separation, moisture management, and lint cleaning. The saw-type gin stand aggressively removes tufts of fiber from the cottonseed, causing some fibers to break at less than their full length. Thus, new, less damaging technology for fiber-seed separation would greatly increase the utility of cotton fiber. Moisture management from harvesting through bale storage is critical to high quality cotton. Available moisture management technology should be used by farmers and ginners. However, better methods to measure the moisture of cotton bales are needed. Improved systems to restore needed moisture to fiber before fiber-seed separation are needed to maintain fiber length and minimize short fibers. Conventional saw-type lint cleaners clean cotton efficiently but damage the fiber; they also discard too much fiber with the foreign matter. New, less-damaging methods to clean fiber after fiber-seed separation are needed. Success in these three areas would greatly increase the utilization potential of cotton. |
