Project Number: 6435-44000-069-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Jun 16, 2004
End Date: Jun 15, 2009

Objective:
Demonstrate the value of adding new fiber qualtiy measurements to better predict cotto processing efficiency and product qualtiy. Develop new quality assessment tools for cotton breeders to aid in making selections based on evaluating small cotton samples in remote locations.

Approach:
The measurements under consideration include: short fiber content, nep content, fiber maturity, and tri-stimulus color. The value of adding new measurements will be studied by processing large numbers of cotton samples into textile yarns and fabrics. We will establish protocols for handling small cotton samples (approx. 15 kg) so as to obtain results similar to more conventional test of fiber processing efficiency involving larger samples (approx. 150 kg). Better differentiation between effects on fiber quality resulting from the growth environment versus those that are genotypic, concentrating on micronaire. Develop a tool based on near infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy - a tool that could easily be made portable.