An Efficiency of Standard Procedures for Moisture Analysis Tests Used in The Egyptian Cotton Trade.

Abstract
This investigation was carried out at Plant Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture (Saba-Basha), Alexandria University, Egypt and Cotton Arbitration and Testing General Organization (CATGO), Egypt, on some Egyptian cotton varieties, and some drying instruments, during 2018/2019 season. Six commercial Egyptian cotton varieties, G. barbadense representing the two categories of Egyptian cotton were used. The first group represents the Extra-long staple, extra fine (ELS) category these varieties were Giza 87 and Giza 96 (over 1 3/8-inch fiber length = > 35 mm). The second group represented the long staple (LS) category (1 1/4 -1 3/8-inch fiber length =30:34 mm) included long staple white i.e., Giza 86, Giza 94 and Long staple creamy i.e., Giza 95 and Giza 90. The Aqua Lab, Good Brand Jefferys(NEW), Good Brand (Developed), and H.V.I classing 1000 were used to determine the moisture, physical and mechanical properties. The Extra-long cotton varieties had a highly significant effect on fiber properties the highest mean value of fiber length (UHML) (35.60 mm), uniformity index (88.09%) were recorded for the Egyptian cotton variety Giza 87. The highest mean value of fiber strength (44.33 g/tex), spinning consistency index (SCI) (223.75) were shown by the Egyptian cotton variety Giza 96. The long staple varieties had a highly significant effect on the fiber properties the maximum value of micronaire reading (4.56), short fiber index (7.02%), maturity index (0.87) were recorded by the Egyptian cotton variety Giza 95. The highest mean value of fiber elongation (7.62%) was shown by the Egyptian cotton variety Giza 90. The maximum value reflectance degree (RD) (78.52%). The drying instruments differed significantly for five properties i.e., fiber strength, short fiber index, spinning consistency index, reflectance degree and yellowness degree. The maximum value of the short fiber index (6.32%) was shown after Good Brand (New). The highest mean value of fiber strength (40.57g/tex), spinning consistency index(SCI) (192.88) were recorded after Aqua Lab. The maximum value of reflectance degree (RD) (73.85%) was shown before drying treatment. The highest mean value of yellowness degree (+b) (10.84) was recorded after Good Brand (Developed). The Egyptian cotton varieties(V) revealed highly significant differences for all moisture properties i.e., moisture regains (MR) and moisture content (MC). The highest mean value of moisture regain (MR) (8.32%), moisture content (MC) (7.68%) were shown by the Egyptian cotton variety Giza 87. Concerning the drying instruments(I) revealed highly significant differences for moisture properties. The highest mean value of moisture regain(MR) (7.75%), moisture content (MC) (7.68%) were recorded by Good Brand (dev.).