Effect of Zero and Minimum Tillage on Cotton Productivity and Soil Characteristics under Different Nitrogen Application Rates

Long-term conservation tillage and straw incorporation are reported to improve the soil health, growth, and yield traits of crops; however, little is known regarding the optimal nitrogen (N) supply under conservation tillage with straw incorporation. The present study evaluated the effects of conservation tillage practices (ZTsas: zero tillage plus wheat straw on the soil surface as such, and MTsi: minimum tillage plus wheat straw incorporated) and different N application rates (50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha−1) on the yield and quality traits of cotton and soil characteristics in a five-year field experiment. The results showed that ZTsas produced a higher number of bolls per plant, boll weight, seed cotton yield, 100-seed weight, ginning out-turn (GOT), fiber length, and strength than MTsi. Among different N application rates, the maximum number of bolls per plant, boll weight, seed cotton yield, GOT, 100-seed weight, fiber length, strength, and micronaire were recorded at 150 kg N ha−1. Averaged over the years, tillage × N revealed that ZTsas had a higher boll number plant−1, boll weight, 100-seed weight, GOT, fiber length, and strength with N application at 150 kg ha−1, as compared to other tillage systems. Based on the statistical results, there is no significant difference in total soil N and soil organic matter among different N rates. Further, compared to MTsi, ZTsas recorded higher soil organic matter (SOM, 8%), total soil N (TSN, 29%), water-stable aggregates (WSA, 8%), and mean weight diameter (MWD, 28.5%), particularly when the N application of 150 kg ha−1. The fiber fineness showed that ZTsas had no adverse impact on fiber fineness compared with MTsi. These results indicate that ZTsas with 150 kg N ha−1 may be the optimum and most sustainable approach to improve cotton yield and soil quality in the wheat–cotton system.

Genetic Factors Underlying Single Fiber Quality in A-Genome Donor Asian Cotton (Gossypium arboreum)

The study of A-genome Asian cotton as a potential fiber donor in Gossypium species may offer an enhanced understanding of complex genetics and novel players related to fiber quality traits. Assessment of individual fibers providing classified fiber quality information to the textile industry is Advanced Fiber Information System (AFIS) in the recent technological era. Keeping the scenario, a diverse collection of 215 Asiatic cotton accessions were evaluated across three agro-ecological zones of China. Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) was performed to detect association signals related to 17 AFIS fiber quality traits grouped into four categories viz: NEPs, fiber length, maturity, and fineness. Significant correlations were found within as well as among different categories of various traits related to fiber quality. Fiber fineness has shown a strong correlation to all other categories, whereas these categories are shown interrelationships via fiber-fineness. A total of 7,429 SNPs were found in association with 17 investigated traits, of which 177 were selected as lead SNPs. In the vicinity of these lead SNPs, 56 differentially expressed genes in various tissues/development stages were identified as candidate genes. This compendium connecting trait-SNP-genes may allow further prioritization of genes in GWAS loci to enable mechanistic studies. These identified quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) may prove helpful in fiber quality improvement in Asian cotton through marker-assisted breeding as well as in reviving eroded genetic factors of G. hirsutum via introgression breeding.

Comparative Analysis of Structure and Properties of Stereoscopic Cocoon and Flat Cocoon

Cocoon is a kind of natural biopolymer material with reasonable structure and various functions. However, its structure and functions are often destroyed in practical application. In this study, we took common Bombyx Mori as the research object, and provided different cocooning sites for single or multiple silkworms to construct common stereoscopic cocoons (“normal cocoons” [NC]) and flat cocoons (“single-silkworm flat cocoons” [SFC] and “multi-silkworm flat cocoons” [MFC]), respectively, and compared the morphological structure and basic properties of these cocoons. The study found that the flat cocoons have similar multi-layered variable structure and characteristics compared to those of the common cocoons; also, morphological characteristics and physical and chemical properties of silk fiber from outer layer to inner layer, such as sericin content, fiber fineness, and change rule of basic mechanical properties, are completely consistent with those of the common cocoons. It can be considered that the flat cocoons are constructed by silkworms in the same “procedural” process as that of common cocoons. Due to the expansion of cocooning space, the mechanical properties of fibers are significantly improved. By controlling the size of the cocooning space or the quantity of silkworms cocooning simultaneously, and the time of spinning, a cocoon material with controllable thickness, weight per square meter, porosity, and number of cocoon layers can be obtained as a composite material for direct application.

Comparison of The Fiber Characteristics of the Some Cotton Varieties Ginned by Using Sawgin and Rollergin

In this study carried out in 2015 under conditions of Kahramanmaraş province of Turkey, it was aimed at determining the effects of sawgin and rollergin methods on fiber quality in some cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars. In the study varieties of Lydia, Carisma, PG 2018, Flash, BA 440, BA 119 Maraş-92 and Erşan-92 were used as experimental materials. The trial was established according to factorial randomized block design with four replications. Seed cottons obtained from the trial were ginned in the rollergin and sawgin machines. In the obtained lint cotton samples, a number of fiber characteristics were determined by using HVI and AFIS fiber analysis devices. Ginnig outturn (38.6%), fiber length (30.21 mm), uniformity index (86.02%), fiber strength (31.76 g tex-1), spinning consistency index (SCI) (104.68) determined by using rollergin system were found higher than ones determined by using sawgin system (respectivelly 37.2%, 29.78 mm, 84.61%, 30.97 g tex-1, 94.50). Short fiber index (3.47%) and nep count (59.40 number g-1) obtained from rollergin system were found lower than ones obtained from sawgin system (respectivelly 4.38% and 119.34 number g-1). As a result it can be said that the rollergin method has positive effect on ginnig outturn, fiber length, uniformity index, fiber strength, spinning consistency index, short fiber index and nep count. When fiber length, fiber strength, spinning consistency index, nep size are considered together the best variety was Lydia cv. (respectivelly 30.87 mm, 32.56 g tex-1, 104.25, 675.63 μm). Ginning outturn, uniformity index, short fiber index, total particule number, dust particule number and trash count are considered together the best variety was Erşan-92 cv. (respectivelly 39.4%, 86.02%, 3.48%, 231.4 number g-1, 206.3 number g-1, 25.13 number g-1). For fiber fineness the best varieties were BA 119 and Maraş-92 cv. (respectivelly 4.78 mic. and 4.80 mic.).

Wool productivity and marketable properties of sheepskins of the new domestic dual-purpose sheep breed – Russian meat merino

The results of a comprehensive assessment of the runes and morphological studies of the skin and wool coat of a new breed of Russian meat merino in comparison with domestic breeds Manych merino and Stavropol breed have been presented in the article. The detailed characteristics and description of the main properties of the coat and histological studies of the skin have been given. The results of the research have shown that stud rams and ewes of Russian meat merino breed have had an advantage over the domestic Manych merino and Stavropol sheep breeds in terms of wool clip and yield of pure wool, respectively, by 48,8; 79,4 and 3,6; 16,0 %, and 62,3–68,1 %. The fiber fineness on the body side of rams and ewes of Russian meat merino breed was in the range of 20,5 and 19,1 microns (70 q), while in rams and ewes of Manych merino and Stavropol breed these fluctuations were 20,7–21,8 microns (64 q). It should be noted that according to the 100-point scale of the comprehensive assessment of the rune all animals of Russian meat merino breed groups were rated “excellent” (more than 95 points). The study of the commercial properties of Russian meat merino sheepskins has shown the superiority in weight of paired sheepskins and their area over rams and ewes of Manych merino, respectively, by 24,3; 38,1 and 1,8; 5,8 %. Over the animals of Stavropol breed the superiority was 8,3; 9,8 and 3,8; 5,4 %. In terms of the thickness of the leather fabric, unprocessed sheepskins of Russian meat merino breed exceeded the indicators of rams and ewes of Manych merino by 26,7 and 19,3 %, and rams and ewes of Stavropol breed by 8,6 and 12,1 %, respectively. The ratio of the pilar layer of the skin to the reticular layer in Russian meat merino breed was less by 0,8-0,11 and 0,13-0,32 units, which indicates the superior strength of the skin tissue. The ratio of secondary hair follicles to primary ones is the most objective indicator of wool productivity. So, in animals of Russian meat merino breed this ratio is higher than in the Manych merino and Stavropol breed by 1,0 or 9,3 % and 1,2 or 11,3 % in rams, and 0,9 or 10,1 % and 1,7 or 20,9 % in ewes, respectively.

No Tradeoff in Fiber Quality with Increased Cotton Yield Due to Outcross Pollination

The societal and economic benefits of ecosystem services are both immense and multi-faceted. To holistically quantify the contribution of pollinators to agriculture requires measuring multiple indices of crop production beyond crop yield. Here, we conduct a field-based hand pollination experiment to measure the effects of self and outcross pollen on fiber yield and quality in conventionally managed cotton crops. First, we determine how different pollination treatments affect specific indices of fiber yield and fiber quality, including fiber length and fineness. Second, we investigate the suggested tradeoff between fiber yield and quality. We find that flowers receiving outcross pollen produce larger, heavier bolls than either self-crossed or non-crossed flowers. However, contrary to expectation, flowers of different treatments are indistinguishable in terms of fiber quality. Overall, we find that pollination treatment has no discernable effect on either fiber length or fiber fineness. Understanding the contribution of ecosystem services across multiple axes provides growers with information concerning potential tradeoffs or synergies, and offers insight into management decisions.

DETERMINATION OF THE FACTORS LIMITING COTTON FIBER QUALITY IN TURKEY

This study aims to determine the variation of fiber quality in cotton varieties produced in the Southeastern Anatolia Region and Sanliurfa, Diyarbakir provinces. 1090 fiber samples were obtained from 6 cotton varieties (Lima, Stoneville 468, Candia and Babylon for Sanliurfa, Lima, Stoneville 468, Lodos and Gloria for Diyarbakir) collected from ginning factories in Sanliurfa and Diyarbakir. Statistical analyzes were done with HVI device and obtained data were analyzed by using Excel and TOTEMSTAT programs. In the frequency distribution, cotton varieties of the region are in the medium and long fiber group in terms of fiber length. They were in the medium (only two samples), strong and very strong group in terms of fiber strength. They were generally in the medium and thick group in terms of fiber fineness (micronaire). In terms of fiber uniformity index, the majority of the fibers were in the middle group. In terms of short fiber index, most of the fibers were in the very low and low groups. The majority of the samples were in the high and medium group in terms of fiber elongation, in the mature and very mature group in terms of fiber maturity. In terms of spinning consistency index (SCI) 59,2% of the fibers were between 119,41 and 135,83; 31,3% of them, were between 135,83 and 152,24, 58,2% of the material has a reflectance value of 74 and above. All materials were in white and light-yellow groups in terms of yellowness. It has been observed that the majority of the fibers (66%) are in the low group in terms of trash count. The results obtained from the study of cotton produce of Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey has shown that good fiber quality and to meet the demand of textile industry.

Discriminant analysis-based modeling of cotton fiber and yarn properties

Purpose Like all other natural fibers, the physical properties of cotton also vary owing to changes in the related genetic and environmental factors, which ultimately affect both the mechanics involved in yarn spinning and the quality of the yarn produced. However, information is lacking about the degree of influence that those properties impart on the spinnability of cotton fiber and the strength of the final yarn. This paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach This paper proposes the application of discriminant analysis as a multivariate regression tool to develop the causal relationships between six cotton fiber properties, i.e. fiber strength (FS), fiber fineness (FF), upper half mean length (UHML), uniformity index (UI), reflectance degree and yellowness and spinning consistency index (SCI) and yarn strength (YS) along with the determination of the respective contributive roles of those fiber properties on the considered dependent variables. Findings Based on the developed discriminant function, it can be revealed that FS, UI, FF and reflectance degree are responsible for higher YS. On the other hand, with increasing values of UHML and fiber yellowness, YS would tend to decrease. Similarly, SCI would increase with higher values of FS, UHML, UI and reflectance degree, and its value would decrease with increasing FF and yellowness. Originality/value The discriminant functions can effectively envisage the contributive role of each of the considered cotton fiber properties on SCI and YS. The discriminant analysis can also be adopted as an efficient tool for investigating the effects of various physical properties of other natural fibers on the corresponding yarn characteristics.

Study of the influence of technological processes on the breaking of any fibers

In this work, research has been carried out on changes in the linear density of bast fibers during processing on a hammer, clog and carding machine. Physical and mechanical properties of fibers before and after processing are determined. According to the results of the study showed that the linear density of fibers on the meat machine does not depend on the number of treatments, the average fineness of hemp fibers after the meat machine is 25.8 tex. In addition, the study shows that it is possible to offer a technology for processing short hemp fiber, after which you can get a more bleached and thinner linear density fiber. The average fiber fineness after all technological processes on the grinding machine, hammer mill and carding is 21.3 tex.