ABSTRACT

One of the potential uses of processed cotton gin byproducts (gin waste or gin trash) is mulch in bedding plant applications. A value-added technique known as the COBY Process was used to produce three mulches for different types of gin waste (Arizona picker trash, ground Texas stripper trash, and Texas stripper trash). This study investigated the effectiveness of the COBY products compared to cottonseed hulls, conventional wood mulch, lint cleaner waste (motes), and the raw gin trash used to make the COBY mulches for weed suppression and plant growth. Three application rates were used for all mulches, 300, 600, and 900 lb/ 1000ft². The outcome of the study showed mixed results in the performance of the COBY product. Overall, the COBY products performed equal to or better than the other mulches in suppressing weeds. However, six of the nine COBY treatments had lower flower quality ratings at the end of the study period (eight weeks) than they did initially. One of the problems discovered was the high soluble salt content (1450 to 2100 ppm) of the COBY product, which caused reduced plant growth compared to the other mulches evaluated. A majority of the soluble salts (1245 to 1575 ppm) were in the raw material initially. However, two of the COBY products exhibited higher soluble salt concentrations than the parent material from which they were produced. Possible causes for the increased salt concentrations are being investigated and could include the water and/or color dyes used in the process.