Cotton Cultivation: Chemistry, Uses & Processing
Cotton is considered to be a soft fluffy staple fibre that is grown in the form of a ball or we can say that it has a protective case around the seed. If we talk about cotton from a biological point of view then it belongs to the genus Gossypium and its family is Malvaxeae. Cotton fibre is really important for the economic growth of a country. This is because it is not a food crop but a commercial crop that is purely grown with the motive of making more money.
The cotton plant is basically a shrub that belongs to the subtropical and tropical regions all around the world. The cotton ball has surrounded the seed and whenever the favourable condition will occur, this cotton ball is going to spread the seeds for the process of cultivation or growing.
The main region where you can find the cotton crop is Egypt, America, Africa and India. If we talk about the use of this cotton fibre then, mostly the fibre is spun around a wheel and then it forms the thread. The thread thus formed is used to make clothes from this fibre or thread. In the clothing world, cotton is the most widely used fibre. Currently, the world produces nearly 25 million tonnes of cotton every year. This includes 2.5 percent of the arable land. If we talk about the world's largest producer of cotton, then it is India while the world's largest exporter of cotton fibre is America.
Cotton has mainly commercial uses and it is an important fibre that plays a major role in increasing the economic growth of a country. In this article, you will get knowledge about the cotton fibre, uses of cotton fibres, properties of cotton fibres uses of cotton thread, cotton cultivation and the making of cotton fabric from the cotton fibre that we get and so on. This article is provided to you by Vedantu and will help you to understand the cotton plant in detail.
Cotton and Its Various Uses
Fibres are thin strands that are used for making fabrics. Fibres are of two types as follows-
Natural Fibres
Natural fibres are those fibres that are obtained from nature. These fibres are again of two types-
Plant Fibres- Plant fibres are obtained from plants. For example - cotton fibres are obtained from the flowers of the cotton plant and jute fibres are obtained from the stem of the jute plant.
Animal Fibres- Animal fibres are natural fibres that are obtained from animals. For example - silk fibre is obtained from the cocoon of the silk moth and wool is obtained from the hairs of sheep.
Synthetic fibres
Talking about synthetic fibres, they are those which are synthesised by man chemically. These fibres are just opposite to the natural fibres that are extracted from the plants. Rayon, nylon are some examples of these fibres. They are opposite to the natural fibres and thus, are not from natural resources. Therefore, as compared to the natural fibres, they will be less costly but not as good in quality as the cotton fibres or other natural fibres.
Cotton is a widely used natural fibre and is used for a variety of purposes.
Cotton Cultivation
Cotton is a cash crop and is grown intensively by the farmers. Cotton plants are cultivated all over the world. It is best grown in black soil. Cotton is best grown in soil which has a very high water holding capacity so black clayey soil is the best suited for growing cotton. In India, it is cultivated in states like Maharashtra and Gujarat in the majority.
In other states like Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, etc cotton cultivation is also carried out. When it comes to climate, cotton grows best in a warm or slightly hot climate. Cotton also requires a lot of water for its irrigation.
Uses of the Cotton Plant
The cotton plant has several uses which makes it an important crop that supports the industrial development and the agricultural development of a country. Some of the uses of cotton are-
Cotton fibres are used to make cotton fabrics that can be used to make clothing ranging from undergarments to jackets to kurtas, shirts, and many more.
Cotton fabrics are also used to make curtains, bedsheets, pillow covers, dining clothes, towels, etc. People prefer cotton materials because of its comfort and durability.
Stock feeding - cotton seeds that are removed from the cotton balls during the process of ginning are used for feeding the cattle and other domestic animals.
To make rubber and plastics cotton is used. Thus besides the clothing industry cotton is supporting other industries also.
In the making of soaps and cosmetics also cotton is used. Cottonseed oil is nowadays used for cooking food and is being used by various restaurants as this oil is cheaper than other oils.
Uses of Cotton Fabric
Cotton fabrics are used for various purposes other than making clothes and garments. Some of the uses are mentioned below-
Cotton fabrics are used as strainer while making paneer, sweet dish rasgulla, etc.
Cotton fabrics are used to make face masks.
Cotton fabrics are used to make tea bags.
Cotton is also used to make semi-synthetic fabrics.
Cotton Properties
People always prefer cotton over other fabrics. This is due to the properties of cotton. Some of these are mentioned below-
Cotton is porous which makes it breathable. The pores are very small and of desirable size.
Cotton fabrics do not cause itching and are comfortable for the skin.
Cotton clothes cause cooling in summer as cotton allows the sweat to evaporate easily.
Cotton fibre has the ability to control moisture, insulation is the property and along with it, provide immense comfort. Thus, we wear it especially at the time of summer.
It doesn't show up with perspiration like other fibres such as synthetic and this is the reason that it is the most used fibre.
Making of Cotton Fabric from Cotton Fibre
Cotton bolls obtained from the cotton plants undergo a lot of processes to become a fibre. These processes indeed take a little time and only then, a good fibre is formed. The major steps are mentioned below
Ginning- It is the process of removal of the cotton seeds from the cotton bolls using big combs. This straightens the whole bunch of cotton fibres also.
Spinning- The fibres are spun continuously to make yarn from the fibres obtained. For spinning, today machines are used for spinning. But it can be done using charkha or takli.
Weaving- Now when the yarn is made from fibre this yarn is used to make the fabric or the cotton cloth. Weaving is done using traditional machines or modernised machines.
Dyeing- Once the cotton cloth is made it is dyed into several colours for the sake of variety. These cotton fabrics can be used for various purposes like making clothes like kurta, salwar, saree, etc.
FAQs on Cotton Cultivation: Chemistry, Uses & Processing
1. What are the ideal climatic conditions and soil type for cultivating cotton?
Cotton cultivation thrives in specific conditions. It requires a warm climate with temperatures ranging between 21°C and 30°C and at least 210 frost-free days. The ideal soil for growing cotton is black soil, which is well-drained and has good water retention capacity. Moderate rainfall during the growing season followed by sunny, dry weather during the harvesting period is essential for a healthy crop.
2. How is cotton fibre obtained from the cotton plant?
Cotton fibre is harvested from the fruit of the cotton plant, known as a cotton boll. After the plant matures, these bolls burst open, revealing the fluffy white fibres attached to the seeds. The process of harvesting involves picking these bolls from the plants, either by hand or using machines. The harvested cotton is then sent for processing to separate the fibres from the seeds.
3. What is the difference between ginning and carding in cotton processing?
Ginning and carding are two distinct and crucial steps in cotton processing. Ginning is the very first mechanical process after harvesting; its main purpose is to separate the raw cotton fibres from the cotton seeds. In contrast, carding is a later step where the ginned, cleaned fibres are combed and aligned to form a continuous, untangled web called a sliver, preparing them for spinning into yarn.
4. What are the main steps involved in processing raw cotton into fabric?
The transformation of raw cotton into fabric involves several key stages:
- Ginning: Separating the cotton fibres from the seeds.
- Carding: Cleaning and aligning the fibres into a uniform strand called a sliver.
- Spinning: Drawing out and twisting the sliver to create a strong, continuous thread or yarn.
- Weaving or Knitting: Interlacing or looping the yarn on looms or machines to produce fabric.
- Finishing: Treating the fabric with processes like bleaching, dyeing, and printing to improve its appearance and quality.
5. What is the chemical composition of cotton fibre?
From a chemical perspective, cotton fibre is almost pure cellulose (about 99% after processing). Cellulose is a natural polymer, which means it's a large molecule made up of many smaller, repeating units. In this case, the repeating unit is glucose. This simple but strong chemical structure is what gives cotton its desirable properties like strength and absorbency.
6. What are the key properties of cotton that make it so versatile?
Cotton's versatility stems from a combination of excellent properties:
- Absorbency: It can absorb and hold a significant amount of water, making it comfortable to wear.
- Breathability: It allows air to circulate freely, preventing heat from being trapped against the skin.
- Strength: It is a durable and strong natural fibre, especially when wet.
- Softness: It is naturally soft and non-irritating to the skin.
- Dye-friendly: It holds dyes very well, allowing for a wide range of colours and prints.
7. Why is cotton fabric considered so comfortable to wear, especially in hot weather?
Cotton is exceptionally comfortable in hot weather primarily due to its high absorbency and breathability. The fabric readily absorbs sweat from the skin and allows it to evaporate into the air, creating a cooling effect. This process of wicking moisture away from the body, combined with the fabric's natural softness, prevents the sticky and uncomfortable feeling often associated with synthetic materials.
8. What are some of the most important uses of cotton?
Cotton is one of the most widely used natural fibres globally. Its primary uses include:
- Apparel: From t-shirts and jeans to formal wear and underwear.
- Home Furnishings: Used for bedsheets, towels, curtains, and upholstery.
- Medical Supplies: Used for making bandages, gauze, and cotton swabs due to its sterility and absorbency.
- Industrial Products: Used in making items like bookbindings, paper, and industrial threads.
- By-products: Cottonseed is processed to make cottonseed oil for cooking and meal for animal feed.
9. Is the cotton used in our clothes chemically processed?
Yes, while the cotton fibre itself is natural, conventionally grown cotton undergoes significant chemical processing. During cultivation, pesticides and fertilisers are often used. After harvesting, the fibres are treated with various chemicals for cleaning, bleaching, dyeing, and finishing to achieve the desired texture, colour, and properties like wrinkle resistance. This is why organically grown and processed cotton is promoted as a more eco-friendly alternative.
10. Why is it unsafe for humans to eat parts of the cotton plant?
It is unsafe for humans to eat most parts of the cotton plant, especially the seeds, because they contain a natural toxic compound called gossypol. This substance acts as a defence mechanism for the plant against insects. In humans and other non-ruminant animals, gossypol can cause serious health issues, including organ damage. However, the oil extracted from the seeds can be refined to remove gossypol, making it safe for consumption.
