Project Number: 6402-41440-007-02
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Jan 01, 2009
End Date: Dec 31, 2010

Objective:
The objective of this project is to determine the impact of differences in fiber maturity on ginning and textile processing performance. This research will contribute to a better understanding of the impact of immature fibers on cotton's textile performance. If issues are found, it will demonstrate the need to search for ginning methods to reduce these fibers during the ginning process. Optimize energy use and management of the entire ginning system including module protection and hauling, seed cotton drying and moisture restoration, seed cotton and lint cleaning, fiber removal, baling, bale handling and protection, seed handling and use, and byproduct production and use.

Approach:
The control treatment will be to harvest, gin, and mill-clean the fiber approximating commercial processing as closely as possible with research equipment. The experimental treatments will use less mature cotton and both more and fewer saw-type lint cleaners at the gin. Conclusions will be based on analysis of advanced fiber information system (AFIS) data of samples taken from the different material streams.