Effect of Short Fiber Content in Cotton on Plant Performance and Quality'

Abstract

A large scale plant trial was performed to determine the effect that 2.5% span length and micronaire mix laydown variability (while maintaining the same average, high, and low levels of short fiber content as measured by the Peyer AL-101 instrument) and the number of bales in the mix laydown have on processing performance and quality. Eight conditions, representing various combinations of these variables, were processed through the same equipment and deliveries in the plant. Frequency checks and quality measurements were made at each process, and the 100% carded cotton, 23/1, ring spun yams produced were fully characterized for all normal quality char acteristics. The results indicate that short fiber has a major effect on manufacturing and yam quality, the number of bales per laydown and fiber property variability have a significant effect on ends-down in spinning, and short fiber content has a much greater influence on yam quality than bales per laydown and fiber property variability.