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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Cotton Ginning Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #290019
Title: Relationship of leaf and bract trichomes to trash content of ginned lint

Author
item Boykin Jr, James
item BOURLAND, FRED - University Of Arkansas
item DODDS, DARRIN - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/23/2013
Publication Date: 6/1/2013
Citation: Boykin Jr, J.C., Bourland, F.,and D.M. Dodds.Relationship of leaf and bract trichomes to trash content of ginned lint. Proceedings of Beltwide Cotton Prod. Res. Conf., National Cotton Council, San Antonio, TX, pp. 774-782, CD ROM. 2013.

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. Results showed leaf and bract trichomes were highly (positively) correlated with 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 are 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 cottons harvested from these varieties is picked with lower trash content. Cotton picked with lower trash content is easier to clean at the gin and mill. Plots from the 2010 and 2011 Mississippi Variety Trials were sampled at multiple locations for leaf and bract trichomes, machine harvested, and ginning in the microgin. 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.