Effects of Mechanical Cleaning on Cotton Fibers

Abstract

Smooth leaf and hairy leaf Midsouth cottons were processed through minimum, two intermediate, and maximum gin cleanings. Based on fiber measurements after mill cleaning, minimum gin cleaning yielded the best fiber quality ( i.e., length, low short fiber content). Fiber damage as a result of maximum gin cleaning was evident through all levels of mill cleaning. There were also differences in nonlint content as a result of cleaning machinery and cotton varieties.