ABSTRACT

The study of the addition of water to cotton at ginning dates back to the early 1950’s.  Since this time, technologies have changed which allow for more control and higher volumes of water to be added to cotton at the lint slide than ever before. The objective of the study reported here, which is part two of the study reported by Hughs (2004), was to determine an acceptable bale moisture range within which fiber quality, yarn quality, microbial activity and dyed fabric quality degradation can safely be avoided after 6 months of bale storage.  Approximately 50 pounds of cotton were sampled from each of the three bales for each moisture treatment as described by Hughs (2004) in part one of this study, after six months in storage.  In addition to the HVI fiber properties reported by Hughs (2004), additional testing of the fibers was performed on the Advanced Fiber Information System (AFIS) followed by microbial activity determinations. The resulting 20/1 open-end spun yarns were subjected to typical yarn quality measurements (C.V., defects, strength, & elongation) and then circular knit into panels so that yarn from each treatment was butt-knit to more easily observe color or shade change. With respect to yarn quality, it appears that 20 or more pounds of water added to bales of cotton at the lint slide resulted in significant as well as practical reductions in yarn quality. With respect to the storage periods and treatments of this study, although there were color changes to the cotton fiber as reported by Hughs (2004) there appears to be no impact on microbial activity or the bleached and dyed fabric. Additionally, it appears that between 6-8.5% lies the point of diminishing return for adding moisture to cotton at the lint slide.