Objective:
Determine and quantify by physical measurements and chemical and biological analyses the properties of cotton fibers that explain variations in processing efficiency and end use quality. Develop and implement rapid instruments and methods for measuring these properties.

Approach:
Cottons produced under a variety of commercial/experimental conditions will be studied using modern manufacturing procedures. Genetic, agronomic and ginning variables will be correlated with textile processing performance in cooperation with collaborators (40% of effort). Chemical and microbiological properties of cotton will be studied for their effects on processing performance, yarn-fabric quality, worker safety and environment contamination (25%). Measurements of color, leaf, trash and contaminants will be improved for better prediction of processing performance and yarn fabric quality (20%). Reference test methods for strength and other HVI measurements will be developed-implemented (15%). Research will focus on improved predictive relationships between processing performance and yarn fabric quality over and above those obtained by using traditional measures of length, strength, color, fineness and trash by identifying developing rapid measurements of other important fiber properties. These measurements will be adapted for use in classification and marketing.