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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Cotton Production and Processing Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #370300
Research Project: Enhancing the Profitability and Sustainability of Upland Cotton, Cottonseed, and Agricultural Byproducts through Improvements in Pre- and Post-Harvest Processing

Location: Cotton Production and Processing Research

Title: Plastic contamination detection and removal in seed cotton: Lab and field results

Author
item Pelletier, Mathew
item Holt, Gregory
item Wanjura, John

Submitted to: Annual Australian Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2019
Publication Date: 10/27/2019
Citation: Pelletier, M.G., Holt, G.A., Wanjura, J.D. 2019. Plastic contamination detection and removal in seed cotton: Lab and field results. Annual Australian Cotton Conference. Presentation.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Plastic contamination in cotton lint, sourced from plastic module wrap used to package seed cotton harvested from John Deere round module harvesters, has become a major issue that is negatively impacting the cotton industry, specifically countries where all seed cotton is mechanically harvested. The impact of plastic contamination has risen to such a high level that the USDA-AMS (United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Marketing Service) classing offices have instituted new discount classing codes specifically identifying cotton bales contaminated with plastic. In response, the USDA-ARS (United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service), Cotton Production and Processing Research Unit (CPPRU) in Lubbock, Texas has developed a color camera detection and removal system, known as VIPR (Visual Imaging Plastic Removal) system, that installs on the cotton gin feeder apron, prior to the gin stand. This presentation reports on the development, laboratory testing, results, and field experience of installing the unit on a commercial cotton gin stand feeder apron during the 2018-2019 ginning season in West Texas. Also being reported, is a camera system, using the same technology as the VIPR system, installed in the module feeder as a protective system designed to alert gin management of plastic contamination trapped on the feed rollers.