Yield, fiber quality and textile outcomes from in-field blending of cotton seed at planting

Authors: Delhom, Christopher - Chris; VAN DER SLUIJS, MARINUS H - Deakin University; BANGE, MICHAEL - Grains Research And Development Corporation; LONG, ROBERT - Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO); Nelson, Amanda

Submitted to: Journal of Cotton Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/24/2022
Publication Date: 1/13/2023
Citation: Delhom, C.D., Van Der Sluijs, M.J., Bange, M.P., Long, R.L., Nelson, A.M. 2023. Yield, fiber quality and textile outcomes from in-field blending of cotton seed at planting. Journal of Cotton Science. 27:1-11. https://doi.org/10.56454/PHCR9024.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56454/PHCR9024

Interpretive Summary: Cotton is is routinely blended during textile processing in an effort to create a uniform product. Harvesting and ginning can introduce some blending before the mill. Blending earlier in the supply chain should result in a more consistent and predictable product. There has been limited research on the benefits of in-field blending of cotton cultivars, especially the impacts from a textile perspective. Experiments were undertaken over two seasons. The seed of three cultivars with inherent differences in quality attributes were blended in combinations of two cultivars at 25% increments before planting. Crop maturity, lint yield, fiber quality, and textile processing were evaluated for both years. Some combinations resulted in differences in micronaire, fineness (linear density), and fiber length, which mostly followed the blend rates of the constituent cultivars. Although there were some statistical differences, there were no functional differences found in yield, textile processing, or textile quality. The most significant result was the movement of one set of blends from the base range of micronaire to the premium range. The results showed that in-field blending of cultivars could be done without harming quality or resultant textiles as long as the cultivars are carefully selected. Individual producers will have to determine if the benefits and risks are worthwhile for their specific situation.

Technical Abstract: Cotton is a highly variable natural material that is routinely blended during textile processing in an effort to create a uniform product. Harvesting and ginning can introduce some blending before the mill. Blending earlier in the supply chain should result in a more consistent and predictable product. There has been limited research on the benefits of in-field blending of cotton cultivars, especially the impacts from a textile perspective. Experiments were undertaken over two seasons. The seed of three cultivars with inherent differences in quality attributes were blended in combinations of two cultivars at 25% increments before planting. Crop maturity, lint yield, fiber quality, and textile processing were evaluated for both years. Some combinations resulted in differences in micronaire, fineness (linear density), and fiber length, which mostly followed the blend rates of the constituent cultivars. Although there were some statistical differences, there were no functional differences found in yield, textile processing, or textile quality. The most significant result was the movement of one set of blends from the base range of micronaire to the premium range. The results showed that in-field blending of cultivars could be done without harming quality or resultant textiles as long as the cultivars are carefully selected. Individual producers will have to determine if the benefits and risks are worthwhile for their specific situation.