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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Cotton Ginning Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #208989
Title: EFFECTS OF HARVESTING AND SEED-COTTON CLEANING ON A COTTON WITH A FRAGILE SEED COAT

Author
item Armijo, Carlos
item Baker, Kevin
item Hughs, Sidney
item BARNES, EDWARD - COTTON, INC
item GILLUM, MARVIS - COOPERATOR

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/8/2007
Publication Date: 2/9/2007
Citation: Armijo, C.B., Baker, K.D., Hughs, S.E., Barnes, E.M., Gillum, M.N. 2007. Effects of harvesting and seed-cotton cleaning on a cotton with a fragile seed coat. In: Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, January 9-12,2007, New Orleans, Louisiana. 2007 CDROM p. 728.

Interpretive Summary: A high-yielding high-quality upland cotton cultivar contains a seed coat that is fragile and breaks easily. Seed coat fragments that remain in the lint after the ginning process decrease spinning efficiency at the textile mill, and ultimately affect the quality of finished goods. An experiment was conducted to determine the interactions between harvest and seed-cotton cleaning treatments using the cultivar with fragile seed coats. Seed coat nep count in the fiber was used as an indicator for levels of seed coat fragments. Results showed that a picker with 9/16-inch spindles had lower seed-cotton trash content at the wagon and feeder, less short fiber, and higher color grade. However, seed coat nep count was not different among 1/2-inch or 9/16-inch spindles. In addition, it was found that as the number of seed-cotton cleaners increased from zero to six, trash content in the seed cotton (at the feeder), cottonseed, and fiber decreased, and color grade improved. And again, seed coat nep count was not different among the levels of seed-cotton cleaning. All other fiber and cottonseed properties were not different among harvesting or seed-cotton cleaning treatments. Future research is planned to examine possible methods to reduce seed coat fragments through modifications at the lint cleaner. Reducing seed coat fragments in this high-yielding high-quality cotton cultivar will provide the producer with a profitable and desirable fiber.

Technical Abstract: Seed coat fragments that remain in lint after the ginning process decrease spinning efficiency at the textile mill, and ultimately reduce the quality of finished goods. An experiment was conducted to determine the interactions between harvest and seed-cotton cleaning treatments using an upland cultivar known to have fragile seed coats. Three harvester treatments examined the spindle size (diameter) and spindle speed on the picker and included: 1) 1/2-inch spindles running at 2000 rpm, 2) 9/16-inch spindles running at 1400 rpm, and 3) 9/16-inch spindles running at 2400 rpm. The three cleaning treatments were: 1) no seed cotton cleaning, 2) three seed-cotton cleaners (two inclined cleaners and one stick machine), and 3) six seed-cotton cleaners (three inclined cleaners and three stick machines). Seed coat nep count in the fiber determined by AFIS was used as an indicator for levels of seed coat fragments. Results showed that the picker with the 9/16-inch spindle had lower seed-cotton trash content at the wagon and feeder, less short fiber, and higher color grade. However, seed coat nep count was not different among 1/2-inch or 9/16-inch spindles. In addition, it was found that as the number of seed-cotton cleaners increased, trash content in the seed cotton (at the feeder), cottonseed, and fiber decreased, and color grade improved. And again, seed coat nep count was not different among the levels of seed-cotton cleaning. All other fiber and cottonseed properties were not different among harvesting or seed-cotton cleaning treatments. Therefore, it does not appear increased seed cotton cleaning nor picker settings will help manage seed coat fragments. Future research is planned to examine possible method to reduce seed coat fragments through modifications at the lint cleaner.