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ABSTRACT

Cotton is one of the most important commercial crops of India grown for its fibre and seed which are processed to produce different products and by-products. This article describes different uses of cotton starting from its seed for the oil and livestock industry to its fibre for the textile and clothing industry. The journey of cotton from fibre to fabric and steps or processes in fabric making like spinning, weaving, knitting and finishing are detailed. Cotton fibre is a cool, soft, comfortable and principle clothing material of the world. Its production is one of the major factors in the prosperity and economic stability of the world. Cotton fibre is an all-season cellulosic fibre - cool in the summer and insulating in the winter. Among more than 50 known species of cotton (Gossypium spp.), only four are cultivated which includes, two diploids (G. arboreum and G. herbaceum; collectively referred to as desi cotton carrying A genome) and two tetraploids (G. hirsutum and G. barbadense carrying AD genome). India is the only country where all these four cultivated species are grown commercially owing to its vast agro-diversity. Cotton is mainly grown for its fibre and seed. Apart from fibre, the cottonseed is crushed for its oil to be used in the food industry and its meal to be used in the livestock and poultry industry. After removing the lint, the seed is transported to a cottonseed crushing mill. Upon the removal of short fibres or linters, the seed is put through a machine that employs a series of knives to loosen the hulls from the kernel. The seeds are then passed through shakers and beaters. The separated hulls are used as a livestock feed or as industrial products and the kernels are used for extraction of oil, the seed’s most valuable by-product. After further processing, the oil is used in cooking. Limited quantity also goes into soaps, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, textile finishes and other products. The remaining meat of the kernel is converted into a meal, the second most valuable by-product. High in protein, it is used as feed for livestock and poultry. Cottonseed meal also makes an excellent natural fertilizer for lawns, flower beds and gardens.

Key words: Cotton, Seeds, Fibre

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THE JOURNEY OF COTTON FROM SEED TO FABRIC (1)_compressed.pdf