Did you know?
Good plant moisture status is critical in the first 20 days after flowering to allow potential fibre elongation rates.
The Cotton Catchment Communities CRC in conjunction with CSIRO released FIBREpak, a guide to assist the cotton industry to improve cotton fibre quality.
Philip Armytage, CEO of the Cotton CRC said Australian cotton is viewed worldwide as an excellent fibre. Yet to remain a competitive player in the world market there is a need to maintain and enhance its processing and marketing characteristics.
FIBREpak contains information for managing fibre quality at every step, from variety choice before planting, in-crop management, harvesting, and ginning.
"The Cotton CRC continues to invest and drive collaborative research to improve fibre quality. FIBREpak is one part of this overall effort with investment in plant biotechnology, crop production, and post harvest research, conducted in Narrabri, Geelong and Canberra." Mr Armytage says.
Variety, seasonal conditions, crop and harvest management, and ginning can all determine whether or not the spinner's requirements are met. While some of these factors cannot be controlled, other factors such as the use of better varieties, management for each region's climate, and processing to minimise damage to fibre are opportunities to improve the quality of lint delivered to mills.
Dr Mike Bange, CSIRO Project Leader said "FIBREpak will provide all those involved in producing and delivering fibre with knowledge of what aspects of fibre quality they can influence, options for managing those aspects and an understanding of the needs and constraints of the other participants in the fibre supply chain".
FIBREpak Project Leader and research author, Dr Bange, received the prestigious 2009 CSD Researcher of the Year Award at the annual Australian Cotton Growing Gala Awards Ceremony held in Narrabri. Dr Michael Bange's career in cotton research spans over 12 years and his research has provided numerous positive outcomes for the Australian cotton industry.
Dr Bange is currently exploring and implementing methods to improve the cotton industry's access to climate information, and improve the understanding and integration of the impacts of environment and crop management on fibre quality.
"The Cotton CRC and CSIRO are committed to improve Australia's cotton fibre quality delivered to spinners," Dr Bange says.
