GLOBAL COMMERCIAL COTTON FIBERS-A brief note.

GLOBAL COMMERCIAL COTTON FIBERS-A brief note.

Asian cotton,Egyptian cotton,Gija cotton,Pima cotton,Organic cotton ,Bt cotton and BCI

INTRODUCTION: 

To understand the type of cotton,we have to go to about individual biological species of cotton plant.There are important four cotton species.Those are Gossippium Arborium,Gossippium Herbessium,Gossipium Barbadence and Gossipium Hirsutum.All species belongs to the family Malvaceae.

          Only two species,Those are Gossippium Herbessium and Arborium.These two species are growing almost 90% of cotton production in the world.

ASIAN COTTON:

          India and China are the major Asian countries growing these types of species more.Because,these are suitable for these particular climate of Asian counties.

          Asian cotton compared to quality, not as good as Egyptian cotton or Pima cotton or Gija cotton.We have these different types,based on length of the fiber  ,that I'd staple length.We have divided staple length into three.A long staple,that will range around 24mm to 27mm.And medium staple length of 20mm to 24mm.And short staple length below or less than 20mm.These are the three different types of staple length in Asian cotton production.

EGYPTIAN COTTON:

          Egyptian cotton is produced by Gossippium Barbadance.This is a very good quality.The staple length is medium to long,extra long.Quality of the fiber is very good.And fineness and shining are very excellent.Banks of Nile river is the suitable place to produce Egyptian cotton.

GIJA COTTON:

          Gija cotton, It is also known as Egyptian cotton,it is produced nearer to the same region,that is banks of the Nile river.The region provides suitable fertility and climate or specific humidity to growth of Gina cotton plants.Agricultural activities of these cotton plants done in particular time from stages of sowing seeds to the stages of harvesting the crops. Because of that,the cotton length, fineness, luster,etc,.are comparatively slightly higher than Egyptian regular cotton.Among the all cotton,Gija cotton is one of the excellent cotton as of now.

PIMA COTTON:

          Pima cotton, is usually grown in USA. This type of cotton is produced by biological species Gossipium Hirsutum.Pima cotton is also an excellent cotton.We can't able to differentiate the Egyptian cotton and the Pima cotton.Pima cotton is only used for production of subsidiaries.

          Compared to Egyptian cotton, Egyptian cotton is costlier than Pima cotton.Quality wise Egyptian cotton is slightly better.The difference between Pima cotton and Egyptian cotton is only due to difference in the speceis and their adoptability in the particular climatic region.

          The fineness quality of the fiber is very good.It gives comfortness to the body of wearer.And has good moisture absorption,comfortness and also good durability.

ORGANIC COTTON:

           The organic cotton is the non BT cotton method of production.In the organic method of cultivation,fertilisers are not used, chemicals are not used to spray.Only use like neem cake and green leaf manuar for cultivation.Also cowdung, formyard manuar,vermicompost are used to fertile the land.Plant extract chemicals like neem extract will be used to control pest.In such a care,cotton plants are produced organically.This special attention and care will help in supplying good natural  nutirents to cotton plants.The fibers of the organically grown  cotton plants are results with excellent quality.

          Strength(Tenacity)wise, quality wise,definitely organic cotton is good.And production wise approximately 25% of yield is less, compared to non organic cotton productoon.

          The products produced from cotton fibers grown organically are as below.

Spun yarns,

Dyed yarns,

Woven fabrics,

Dyed fabrics,

Finished fabrics,

Stitched garments,

Treated garments,

Industrial applications,

Medical & Surgical applications,

Etc,.

          The individual products made by organic cotton like in the above list,are labelled or enclosed with hangtag saying "This product made of organic cotton".These hang tags or lables are put by products manufacturer or brands only after product is verified & certified by International body for standard for organic cotton.That is GOTS.

          Many global brands are producing variety of cotton products.GOTS certified cottons used,labeled or tagged as organic cotton, itself has more demand and that is green oriented and environmental oriented,compared to regular cotton crops.

Bt COTTON :

          Bt cotton is actually a genetically modified cotton crops.The genetically modified organisms has been introduced in a cotton plant.Bt means Bacillus thurin (Bt).It is a bacteria that has been introduced in a cotton plant to control the bollworms.In cotton crops cultivation,many incidences of 'pest incidence' are occurred.

          Because of bollworms,the expectation of good yield is less.To have control on bookworms,Bt cotton comes into existence.This method involved introduction of biotechnology bacteria into the cotton plant.These bacteria kills the bollworms,when they eats the leaves of the plant or whole of the plant.

          Because of Bt bacteria kills the particular bollworm,the cotton plant is automatically protected from harmful plant deceases.This method will help in avoiding use of chemicals spray or adfitional investments.

          Production wise,the yield will be more,but the quality of Bt cotton fiber are poorer compared to other categories.

BCI (Better Cotton Initiative):

          The better cotton Initiative (BCI) is also an green environmental oriented cotton cultivation programme like organic cotton.BCI is an international council has many members country wise, involved in the production of cotton which promotes farmers and cotton sectors by following it's own principles.This international organisation has been supported and encouraged by global apperal brands and textile industries to the base level of  cotton farmers.  BCI cotton became popular, licensed and tagged brand in demand.

STAPLE LENGTH OF COTTON FIBERS:

          Staple length of fibers varies from species to species.Asian cotton has short fibers of 1.5 cm to 2cms that is also good for producing coarser yarns in turn for heavy weight fabrics as well as blending with other fibers like polyester, nylon,viscose,tencel,etc,.

          Long staple length,what Egyptian cotton fiber staple length or Pima cotton fiber staple length are better in producing fine quality yarn in turn production of light weight.How much length is more that much the produced clothing possess good quality.

          The long staple fibers used in the production of clothing like shirts,tops,T-shirts,etc,.for men's wear,women's wear and kids wear as well as for baby Napkin's and medical applications.

          Staple length of cotton may be classified as below.

Very short staple : Less than 3/4th inch(1.9 and),

Short staple : 13/16th to 15/16th inch (2.06 to 2.38 cm ),

Medium staple : 15/16th to 1,1/8th inches (2.38 to 2.86 cm),

Ordinary long staple : 1,1/8th to 1,3/8th inches (2.86 to 3.5 cm) and

Extra long staple : 1,3/8th inches (3.5 cm) or over.

Source: This article written based on the educational qualification and industrial experience of the author/Blogger.

Reference made:

1.USDA site,

2.GOTS site,

3.BCI site,

4.TEXTILE SCIENCE,Second edition, By E.P.G.Gohl and L.D.V.Vilensky

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