ARS | Publication request: Cotton

Submitted to: Technological Innovations in Breeding Major World Oil Crops
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: July 18, 2011
Publication Date: January 1, 2012
Citation: Hinze, L.L., Kohel, R.J. 2012. Cotton. In: Gupta, S.K., editor. Technological Innovations in Major World Oil Crops, Volume 1: Breeding. New York, NY: Springer. p. 219-236.

Technical Abstract: Cotton is a significant agricultural commodity throughout the world that is used primarily for its fibers to manufacture textiles, but with notable secondary value for its seeds. As cotton oil mills began to operate and products other than whole cottonseed became available, the value of cottonseed increased. This increase in the value of cottonseed spurred research efforts to improve the protein and oil quantity and quality of cottonseed. This chapter concentrates on several aspects of cotton as an oilseed crop, including seed quality, seed processing, uses of cottonseed, and prospects for future improvement in cottonseed quality. Cottonseed oil and meal are the two most valuable products of cottonseed. Cottonseed oil is considered heart healthy and has a long shelf life. Cottonseed meal is used principally as feed for livestock and its major value is as a concentrated protein supplement. Cottonseed flour has a high quality amino acid profile. A limiting nutritional factor of cottonseed is the presence of gossypol. Gossypol binds with protein causing a lysine deficiency and has toxic effects when ingested by non-ruminant animals. Despite this limitation, the seed component of cotton production cannot be ignored, and the production of gossypol-free seed would enhance the overall value of cotton. The industry is beginning to see cottonseed as a viable source of revenue, thereby adding value to each and every acre of cotton.