Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants of the genus Gossypium in the mallow family Malvaceae. The fiber is almost pure cellulose, and can contain minor percentages of waxes, fats, pectins, and water. Under natural conditions, the cotton bolls will increase the dispersal of the seeds.
The fiber is most often spun into yarn or thread and used to make a soft, breathable, and durable textile. The use of cotton for fabric is known to date to prehistoric times; fragments of cotton fabric dated to the fifth millennium BC have been found in the Indus Valley Civilization, as well as fabric remnants dated back to 6000 BC in Peru. Although cultivated since antiquity, it was the invention of the cotton gin that lowered the cost of production that led to its widespread use, and it is the most widely used natural fiber cloth in clothing today.
Major Varieties of Cotton
1- The Commercial Varieties :
- Barakat(90):
The major extra long staple ( ELS) variety (33-36 mm), early maturing and high – yielding,
The variety is comparable to traditional Barakat in fiber characteristics, superior in both
fineness and strength ( 34-41 HVI).
The bulk is grown in Gezira (irrigated, hand picked and roller ginned). - Barac ( 67 ) Acala
It is a Medium Staple Cotton, both roller and saw ginned; the variety is known for its good
micronaire value (3.8 – 4.2) and bright color. - Albar ( 57 ) 12 and Acrain
The coarse count cotton Albar (57( 12 Known as ( Nuba ) and (Acrain) are short-staple rain –
grown cotton. - Abdin
It is a fine–count cotton variety, early maturing with the following characteristics :
Ø Highly resistant to both bacterial blight races in Sudan (32 .0 mm) ( 33 – 37g / tex).
Ø Higher degree of tolerance to jassid .
Ø 60% increase in yield over Shambat – B.
Ø Staple length 32- 31.
Ø Micronaire 4.2 – 4.4.
Ø Strength 33-37 ( HVI ). - Hamid ( BB – 82)
It is a medium count, high yielding, early maturing and open canopy. Hamid can be
recommended for integrated Crop Management (28.0 mm).
2- NEWLY RELEASED VARIETIES
Sudan has recently released nine varieties two of which commenced commercial production
(Abdin & Hamid) , the other seven are:
- Siddig ( Sudan Pima)
It is a selection from a cross between Barakat – 90 and Pima, it is a Fusarium Wilt resistant
variety ( 33 mm). - Hadi ( Okra – leaf Barakat )
It is a selection from a cross between Barakat – 90 and Pima Okra, early maturing and high
yielding ( 33 mm ). - Kheiralla
It is a high count Acala ( HCA ) jassid resistant excelling Nour in yield and fineness ( 29 – 31
mm). - Knight ( BB – 90)
A medium count cultivar resistant to bacterial blight ( 29 – 30 mm). - Wager
It is a high yielding variety, adaptable over a wide range of environments. Wager has longer
fiber length, and better micronaire value than Hamid. - Burhan
Suited for rainfed areas more prone to late drought problems. Burhan gave average lint
the yield advantage over Albar ( 57 )12, Almac
( 80 )15 and Acrain. - Khalifa
It is a suitable cultivar for commercial production in rain-fed areas of Southern Kordofan and Blue
Nile regions of Sudan. Khalifa excelled at Albar ( 57 ) 12, Almac ( 80 ) 15, and Acrain for yield.
