Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » New Orleans, Louisiana » Southern Regional Research Center » Cotton Structure and Quality Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #290588
Title: At-line cotton color measurements by portable color spectrophotometers

Author
item Rodgers Iii, James
item Cui, Xiaoliang
item Delhom, Chris
item MARTIN, VIKKI - Cotton, Inc
item WATSON, MICHAEL - Cotton, Inc

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/26/2013
Publication Date: 6/25/2013
Citation: Rodgers III, J.E., Cui, X., Delhom, C.D., Martin, V., Watson, M. 2013. At-line cotton color measurements by portable color spectrophotometers. Proceedings of the 2013 National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference. p.618-621.

Interpretive Summary: As a result of reports of cotton bales that had significant color changes from their initial Uster® High Volume Instrument (HVI™) color measurements, a program was implemented to measure cotton fiber color (surface reflectance, Rd and yellowness, +b) at-line in remote locations (warehouse, mill, etc.). The measurement of cotton fiber Rd and +b using a small, hand-held color spectrophotometer was shown to be feasible, and the technology was incorporated into the Engineered Fiber Selection® system MILLNet™ software. The portable spectrophotometer measurements were rapid, precise, and accurate. Field trials were performed on over 400 bales, and distinct yellowing was detected. The impact of sample preparation and presentation on the color results was investigated. Protocols and procedures for determining color instrument agreement between multiple color units were established.

Technical Abstract: As a result of reports of cotton bales that had significant color changes from their initial Uster® High Volume Instrument (HVI™) color measurements, a program was implemented to measure cotton fiber color (Rd, +b) at-line in remote locations (warehouse, mill, etc.). The measurement of cotton fiber Rd and +b using a small, hand-held color spectrophotometer was shown to be feasible, and the technology was incorporated into the Engineered Fiber Selection® system MILLNet™ software. The portable spectrophotometer measurements were rapid, precise, and accurate. Field trials were performed on over 400 bales that exhibited color changes, with very good agreement observed between the updated HVI™ and spectrophotometer color results (especially for +b). The impact of sample preparation and presentation on the color results was investigated. Protocols and procedures for determining color instrument agreement between multiple color units were established.