Facilitated Processing Of Naturally

Naturally colored cotton has existed for thousands of years but it generated little commercialinterest in the past because its fibers were shorter and weaker than white cotton. Geneticimprovements have made it possible to spin the fibers on modern textile machines, although theyarns are relatively weak. Stronger textiles can be made from colored cotton using patentedspinning methods, but the necessary machines are not available commercially. But both methodsmust use pure colored fiber losses and reduced production efficiency. Consequently, coloredfibers are usually blended with white cotton to facilitate yarn processing, increase strength, anddecrease cost, to the detriment of color. Nonetheless, the resulting fabrics are soft and attractive,do not require chemical dyeing, and have generated great market appeal among consumers andenvironmentalists. This research strives to promote the utilization of colored cotton to makestronger, more colorful, more serviceable textiles by 1) developing and characterizing bettercolored cultivars and 2) using novel methods to facilitate processing on conventional equipment.Short term goals are to demonstrate improvement in fiber properties through selective breedingand improved yarn properties resulting from better materials and methods.