Project Number: 6435-44000-070-05
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jun 01, 2007
End Date: Aug 31, 2009

Objective:
This work will be in support of a Corporative Agreement funded by Cotton Incorporated. The objectives of this SCA are to apply chemometric and statistical modeling techniques to advanced spectroscopy data; to develop robust quantitative and/or qualitative calibrations for key cotton fiber properties; to establish the relationships between the typical fiber analyses of interest and the new techniques; and to establish approaches to minimize impacts of variety and field variables. This proposed research will enhance our knowledge and expertise in performing breeder and field analyses; facilitate the determination of the capabilities of advanced spectroscopy instrumentation to rapidly, accurately, and precisely measure key cotton fiber properties in the laboratory and in the field; and enhance the industry¿s ability to quickly monitor and determine the quality of cotton fiber. The Agreement will be reviewed for possible extension in 2009.

Approach:
In order to obtain accurate and precise measurements of fiber quality, the relationship between the typical fiber analyses of interest and new spectroscopy techniques has to be established. Spectral data, both laboratory and field, from selected instruments (NIR, color/image analysis, etc.) will be obtained from test cottons. The spectral data will be analyzed and interpreted using chemometric (PLS, PCR, etc.) and statistical modeling techniques in order to develop robust quantitative and/or qualitative calibrations for key cotton fiber properties, with initial emphasis on micronaire, maturity, moisture, and color. The calibrations will be interfaced/transferred to the selected instruments, and they will be validated with both laboratory and field evaluations, then, if necessary, refined/optimized. Once completed, the impacts of variety, field, and environmental variables and interactions on the spectroscopy results can be evaluated.