ARS | Publication request: Effects of leaf and bract trichomes on trash content and quality of ginned lint

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: May 1, 2012
Publication Date: May 1, 2012
Citation: Boykin Jr, J.C., Bourland, F.M., Dodds, D.M. 2012. Effects of leaf and bract trichomes on trash content and quality of ginned lint. In: Proceedings of National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference, January 3-6, 2012, Orlando, Florida. p. 553-560.

Interpretive Summary: Nearly 16 million bales of cotton were produced in the U.S. in 2011, much of which will be exported. It is important that this cotton is processed efficiently while maintaining the quality demanded by domestic and foreign consumers. One quality issue that has been persistently important is trash content of cotton bales after ginning. Spinning efficiency and yarn quality is improved for bales with reduced trash content. Some cotton varieties have been characterized as having smoother leaves (low trichome density) and fewer bract trichomes, and it has been shown that cotton harvested from these varieties are picked with lower trash content. Cotton picked with lower trash content is easier to clean at the gin and mill. Ten varieties were grown in three locations to determine the relationship between fiber quality (particularly trash content) and leaf and bract trichomes. Preliminary results showed leaf and bract trichomes were highly (positively) correlated with lint trash, and additional testing is underway to determine if leaf and bract trichomes are independently related to lint trash. Results of this study show the importance of selecting through breeding programs cotton varieties with low leaf or bract trichomes.

Technical Abstract: Spinning efficiency and yarn quality is improved for bales with reduced trash content. Some cotton varieties have been characterized as having smoother leaves (low trichome density) and fewer bract trichomes, and it has been shown that cotton harvested from these varieties are picked with lower trash content. Cotton picked with lower trash content is easier to clean at the gin and mill. In 2010, the first year of a two year study, ten varieties were grown in three locations, sampled for leaf and bract trichomes, machine harvested, and ginned in the microgin. Preliminary results for one year were reported. Leaf and bract trichomes were highly (positively) correlated with lint trash based on samples collected after lint cleaning and tested by HVI, AFIS, and Shirley Analyzer.