PROPENSITY OF COTTON VARIETIES TO NAPPINESS

Imperfections in lint cotton, particularly neps and seed-coat fragments, reduce processing efficiency in the textile mill and detract from appearance in yarn and fabric. This study identified fiber properties and varieties which are consistently associated with low nep and seed-coat fragment levels in ginned lint, yarn, and fabric. Growth conditions and maturity of the cottons were considered; the level of imperfections were measured in both dyed and undyed fabric. Correlations were determined and definite trends established between many of the variables. The information obtained will aid breeders in selecting for further development those cottons which have a low potential for imperfection formation during processing.