The impact of early defoliation on neps

Agronomy

Bange, Michael ; Long, Robert ; Constable, Greg ; Gordon, Stuart

The Australian Cotton Grower Magazine

RP-ID  :  EP102485

学科分类：地球科学(综合)

澳大利亚|英语

来源: CSIRO Research Publications Repository

【 摘 要 】

Significant amounts of immature fibres and neps in ginned cotton will affect textile quality and thus can affect Australia’s reputation for high quality.A study conducted in three seasons varied the timing of defoliation to determine what crop conditions (e.g. % open bolls) at the time of application contribute to differences in the amount of immature fibre and levels of neps in crops at harvest. We also investigated the impact of 0, 1, 2 lint cleaning passes at ginning on fibre quality. Earlier defoliation treatments resulted in fibre with lower linear density (fineness – a component of fibre micronaire) and increased neps. Extra lint cleaning passes substantially increased neps when fibre was very immature.Crop condition (% open bolls) at the time of defoliation related well to fibre quality at harvest and supported the current recommendation of applying defoliants at 60% open bolls to minimize yield losses and neps.We make suggestions on how to manage to avoid low micronaire (high neps).