Past and current research activities on seed coat fragments

Authors: Armijo, Carlos; Delhom, Christopher; ABIDI, NOUREDDINE - Texas Tech University; HAND, LAVESTA - University Of Georgia; BECHERE, EFREM - Retired ARS Employee; DOWD, MICHAEL - Retired ARS Employee; Thomas, Joseph; Holt, Gregory; Blake, Cody; Donohoe, Sean

Submitted to: Journal of Cotton Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/3/2025
Publication Date: 4/3/2025
Citation: Armijo, C.B., Delhom, C.D., Abidi, N., Hand, L.C., Bechere, E., Dowd, M.K., Thomas, J.W., Holt, G.A., Blake, C.D., Donohoe, S.P. 2025. Past and current research activities on seed coat fragments. Journal of Cotton Science. 29(1):24-47. https://doi.org/10.56454/MFIH2900.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56454/MFIH2900

Interpretive Summary: Seed coat fragments (SCF) are portions of a cottonseed that have broken off from mature or immature seeds. SCF may or may not have attached cotton fibers. SCF are created during cotton harvesting or ginning processes. Additional factors that contribute to SCF include genetics (cultivar), environmental issues, weathering events, and cultural practices. SCF are the second most common impurity in textile products. (Neps, which are entanglements of fibers, are the most common and make up most imperfections found in yarn). SCF reduce processing efficiency by causing ends-down during spinning and leads to defects in fabrics. This article presents past research and current unpublished research that has been conducted on SCF. Discussions include the following topics: Ability to Use Genetic Information to Select for Genotypes with Low SCF Potential; Chemical and Physical Properties of the Seed Coat Leading to SCF; Other Opportunities in Variety Development and GxE Interactions; Capturing Gin Stand Energy for Research Gin Stands; Removing SCF at the Gin; and Textile Mill Impacts of SCF. Based on findings from these studies, future strategies to combat SCF includes better understanding of the physiology of SCF components and how formation is impacted by the environment, modeling to predict favorable harvest and ginning conditions, and modifying ginning and textile machinery to reduce the formation and increase the removal of SCF in U.S. cotton.

Technical Abstract: Seed coat fragments (SCF) are portions of a cottonseed that have broken off from mature or immature seeds. SCF may or may not have attached cotton fibers. SCF are created during cotton harvesting or ginning processes. Additional factors that contribute to SCF include genetics (cultivar), environmental issues, weathering events, and cultural practices. SCF are the second most common impurity in textile products. (Neps, which are entanglements of fibers, are the most common and make up most imperfections found in yarn). SCF reduce processing efficiency by causing ends-down during spinning and leads to defects in fabrics. This article presents past research and current unpublished research that has been conducted on SCF. Discussions include the following topics: Ability to Use Genetic Information to Select for Genotypes with Low SCF Potential; Chemical and Physical Properties of the Seed Coat Leading to SCF; Other Opportunities in Variety Development and GxE Interactions; Capturing Gin Stand Energy for Research Gin Stands; Removing SCF at the Gin; and Textile Mill Impacts of SCF. Based on findings from these studies, future strategies to combat SCF includes better understanding of the physiology of SCF components and how formation is impacted by the environment, modeling to predict favorable harvest and ginning conditions, and modifying ginning and textile machinery to reduce the formation and increase the removal of SCF in U.S. cotton.