A method of predicting cotton fiber quality on the Texas High Plains

Cotton producers on the Texas High Plains harvest from one to three million bales of cotton fiber each year. Environmental conditions vary widely and are frequently less than optimal for cotton fiber development due to a short growing season, early freezes and low temperatures during the boll maturation period. More than 100 cotton cultivars are available for use in the 25 counties which comprise the High Plains growing region. Certain fiber quality parameters from cotton produced in this area show considerable variation from year to year due to environmental influence and cultivar selection. Fiber quallty development was evaluated over two growing seasons by sampling both open and green bolls from selected fields. The samples were processed and fiber quality values were determined by high volume instrument testing. Significant differences in fiber quality parameters were observed between and within growing seasons. The data were compared to final classing office averages for fiber properties. In both 1982 and 1983, fiber length indicated by sampling was slightly lower than actual classing office length, but actual strength values fell between fiber strength indicated by the sampling procedure. In 1982, sampling procedure micronaire was lower, and in 1983, higher than the final classing office average. Fiber test results from sampling in late September and early October were useful for determining overall fiber quality for the Texas High Plains.