Investigation of laboratory saw ginning and blending on cotton fiber quality measurement

Authors: Liu, Yongliang; Delhom, Christopher

Submitted to: Journal of Cotton Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/21/2025
Publication Date: 12/2/2025
Citation: Liu, Y., Delhom, C.D. 2025. Investigation of laboratory saw ginning and blending on cotton fiber quality measurement. Journal of Cotton Research. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42397-025-00238-w.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s42397-025-00238-w

Interpretive Summary: Small scale research or individual seed cotton samples from breeders and geneticists are insufficient in quantity to be ginned at a commercial gin. Hence, laboratory ginning equipment (saw or roller gins) or hand ginning method is used to collect the fiber samples from different seed cotton sources prior to fiber high volume instrument (HVI) and advanced fiber information system (AFIS) quality measurement. Extensive studies have been performed to investigate whether different types of laboratory ginning methods impact fiber HVI and AFIS qualities. Meanwhile, at times further mechanical blending was performed at the laboratories to ensure the uniformity, reliability, and validity of any fiber property results. This study attempted to compare how well fiber HVI and AFIS quality agree between a tabletop saw ginning low rate and high rate, and also to examine how the laboratory blending impacts HVI and AFIS quality. Results showed that, with saw ginning rate increasing, HVI data for uniformity index (UI), short fiber index (SFI), and two non-lint parameters or trashes (Area%, particle count) as well as AFIS data for some properties were impacted, accompanied by significant effects on HVI UI and on two AFIS short fiber content (SFC) indices. Apparent fiber blending influences were observed for HVI UI, strength (STR), Rd, SFI, and two trashes as well as for all AFIS parameters, with significant effects on HVI Rd and two trashes and also on all AFIS parameters except the length and maturity measurements. A combination of ginning and blending process indicated statistically significant interactions for HVI STR, Rd, SFI, and two trashes, and also for some AFIS qualities. The results could ensure cotton scientists to continue the use of laboratory saw gin and blending methods for cultivar differences when all samples are processed identically.

Technical Abstract: Small scale research or individual seed cotton samples from breeders and geneticists are ginned using laboratory saw or roller gins. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of two different laboratory saw ginning (SG) rates and subsequent mechanical blending on fiber high volume instrument (HVI) and advanced fiber information system (AFIS) quality measurement. Seed cottons from diverse Upland cotton cultivars, years, and locations were evaluated. As SG rate was increased, HVI results for uniformity index (UI), short fiber index (SFI), and two non-lint parameters (Area%, particle count) and also AFIS results for some properties were impacted, with significant effects on HVI UI and on two AFIS short fiber content (SFC) indices. Apparent fiber blending impacts were observed for HVI UI, strength (STR), Rd, SFI, and two trashes as well as for all AFIS parameters, with significant effects on HVI Rd and two trashes and also on all AFIS parameters except the length and maturity measurements. A combination of ginning and blending process indicated statistically significant interactions for HVI STR, Rd, SFI, and two trashes, and also for AFIS neps, L(w) CV, UQL(w), L(n) CV, SFC(n), L5%(n), immature fiber content (IFC), fineness, total count, dust count, particle count, and visible foreign matter (VFM). Further analysis implied a few impacts of ginning and blending on correlations between HVI and relevant AFIS qualities. Despite the observation, laboratory saw gin and blending methods should continue to be a practical tool to study cultivar differences when all samples are processed identically.