A novel nondestructive detection approach for seed cotton lint percentage using deep learning

Background The lint percentage of seed cotton is one of the most important parameters for evaluating seed cotton quality and affects its price.The traditional measuring method of lint percentage is labor-intensive and time-consuming;thus,an efficient and accurate measurement method is needed.In recent years,classification-based deep learning and computer vision have shown promise in solving various classification tasks.Results In this study,we propose a new approach for detecting the lint percentage using MobileNetV2 and transfer learning.The model is deployed on a lint percentage detection instrument,which can rapidly and accurately determine the lint percentage of seed cotton.We evaluated the performance of the proposed approach using a dataset comprising 66924 seed cotton images from different regions of China.The results of the experiments showed that the model with transfer learning achieved an average classification accuracy of 98.43%,with an average precision of 94.97%,an average recall of 95.26%,and an average F1-score of 95.20%.Furthermore,the proposed classification model achieved an average accuracy of 97.22%in calculating the lint percentage,showing no significant difference from the performance of experts(independent-sample t-test,t=0.019,P=0.860).Conclusion This study demonstrated the effectiveness of the MobileNetV2 model and transfer learning in calculating the lint percentage of seed cotton.The proposed approach is a promising alternative to traditional methods,providing a rapid and accurate solution for the industry.

Combining ability of Egyptian cotton(Gossypium barbadense L.)reveals genetic potential for improved yield and fiber quality

Background As the most widely cultivated fiber crop,cotton production depends on hybridization to unlock the yield potential of current varieties.A deep understanding of genetic dissection is crucial for the cultivation of enhanced hybrid plants with desired traits,such as high yield and fine fiber quality.In this study,the general combining ability(GCA)and specific combining ability(SCA)of yield and fiber quality of nine cotton parents(six lines and three testers)and eighteen F1 crosses produced using a line×tester mating design were analyzed.Results The results revealed significant effects of genotypes,parents,crosses,and interactions between parents and crosses for most of the studied traits.Moreover,the effects of both additive and non-additive gene actions played a notably significant role in the inheritance of most of the yield and fiber quality attributes.The F1 hybrids of(Giza 90×Aust)×Giza 86,Uzbekistan 1×Giza 97,and Giza 96×Giza 97 demonstrated superior performance due to their favorable integration of high yield attributes and premium fiber quality characteristics.Path analysis revealed that lint yield has the highest positive direct effect on seed cotton yield,while lint percentage showed the highest negative direct effect on seed cotton yield.Principal component analysis identified specific parents and hybrids associated with higher cotton yield,fiber quality,and other agronomic traits.Conclusion This study provides insights into identifying potential single-and three-way cross hybrids with superior cotton yield and fiber quality characteristics,laying a foundation for future research on improving fiber quality in cotton.

Growth, yield and fiber quality characteristics of Bt and non-Bt cotton cultivars in response to boron nutrition

Background Boron(B)deficiency is an important factor for poor seed cotton yield and fiber quality.However,it is often missing in the plant nutrition program,particularly in developing countries.The current study investigated B’s effect on growth,yield,and fiber quality of Bt(CIM-663)and non-Bt(Cyto-124)cotton cultivars.The experimental plan consisted of twelve treatments:Control(CK);B at 1 mg·kg^(−1) soil application(SB1);2 mg·kg^(−1) B(SB2);3 mg·kg^(−1) B(SB3);0.2%B foliar spray(FB1);0.4%B foliar spray(FB2);1 mg·kg^(−1) B+0.2%B foliar spray(SB1+FB1);1 mg·kg^(−1) B+0.4%B foliar spray(SB1+FB2);2 mg·kg^(−1) B+0.2%B foliar spray(SB2+FB1);2 mg·kg^(−1) B+0.4%B foliar spray(SB2+FB2);3 mg·kg^(−1) B+0.2%B foliar spray(SB3+FB1);3 mg·kg^(−1) B+0.4%B foliar spray(SB3+FB2).Each treat-ment has three replications,one pot having two plants per replication.Results B nutrition at all levels and methods of application significantly(P≤0.05)affected the growth,physiological,yield,and fiber quality characteristics of both cotton cultivars.However,SB2 either alone or in combination with foliar spray showed superiority over others,particularly in the non-Bt cultivar which responded better to B nutrition.Maxi-mum improvement in monopodial branches(345%),sympodial branches(143%),chlorophyll-a(177%),chlorophyll-b(194%),photosynthesis(169%),and ginning out turn(579%)in the non-Bt cultivar was found with SB2 compared with CK.In Bt cultivar,although no consistent trend was found but integrated use of SB3 with foliar spray performed relatively better for improving cotton growth compared with other treatments.Fiber quality characteristics in both cultivars were improved markedly but variably with different B treatments.Conclusion B nutrition with SB2 either alone or in combination with foliar spray was found optimum for improving cotton’s growth and yield characteristics.

Feasibility study of assessing cotton fiber maturity from near infrared hyperspectral imaging technique

Background Fiber maturity is a key cotton quality property,and its variability in a sample impacts fiber processing and dyeing performance.Currently,the maturity is determined by using established protocols in laboratories under a controlled environment.There is an increasing need to measure fiber maturity using low-cost(in general less than $20000)and small portable systems.In this study,a laboratory feasibility was performed to assess the ability of the shortwave infrared hyperspectral imaging(SWIR HSI)technique for determining the conditioned fiber maturity,and as a comparison,a bench-top commercial and expensive(in general greater than $60000)near infrared(NIR)instrument was used.Results Although SWIR HSI and NIR represent different measurement technologies,consistent spectral characteristics were observed between the two instruments when they were used to measure the maturity of the locule fiber samples in seed cotton and of the well-defined fiber samples,respectively.Partial least squares(PLS)models were established using different spectral preprocessing parameters to predict fiber maturity.The high prediction precision was observed by a lower root mean square error of prediction(RMSEP)(<0.046),higher R_(p)^(2)(>0.518),and greater percentage(97.0%)of samples within the 95% agreement range in the entire NIR region(1000-2500 nm)without the moisture band at 1940 nm.Conclusion SWIR HSI has a good potential for assessing cotton fiber maturity in a laboratory environment.

Study of Cotton Seeds as a Processing Material

The purpose of this research is to improve the qualitative and quantitative indicators of fiber, lint and seeds by improving the technology of preparing cotton seeds for processing. The state of the seeds after the gin was studied and their division into fractions according to the degree of pubescence was recommended, the probabilities of the seeds emerging from the gin with varying degrees of pubescence were investigated, the geometric sizes and shapes of cotton seeds were studied. It has been established that when seeds come out of gin, they have different pubescence. The conditional movement of seeds without separation from the surface has been determined;found a formula describing the movement of seeds without detaching from the surface;the movement of seeds in a micro-flight is determined;the sizes of the cells of the mesh surface were determined as a function of d_c, α and on the speed of seed movement. The aim of the research work is to increase the yield of cotton fiber by improving the processing technology of germinated seeds, to improve the quality indicators of seeds and lint. In order to achieve this goal, a mesh surface device was created to sort the seeds into fractions. Sorting technology was developed on this device and operating modes were determined. In addition, the law of surface distribution of the fractions separated from the cotton stream moving along the surface of the net was determined, and based on the results of practical and theoretical research, a mode of sorting of cotton seeds was developed.

Study on Cotton Nursery Substrate Using Cotton Seed Hulls Residue after Producing Edible Mushroom

In order to discuss the localization application technology of cotton seedling using substrate, the author used cotton seed hulls after the production of edible fungi residue, river sand and peat in different proportion formula using in field and laboratory cotton seedling test. The results showed that： dry mass per plant and leaf area per plant of formula 3 were higher than Jiangxi cotton seedling nurs- ery substrate.the higher proportion were 48.4% and 73.5%; the rate of forming plantlets, survival rate of transplant and the unginned cotton yield had no obvious difference with the other matrix seedling and transplanting; nursery substrate was returned using as fertilizer, reduced environment pollution, achieved comprehensive utilization and cyclic utilization. Cotton seed hulls after the production of edible fungi residue was a cotton seedling substrate material of saving work,reducing cost and protecting environment and would have a good application prospect.

Effects of plant density and nitrogen rate on cotton yield and nitrogen use in cotton stubble retaining fields

Increasing nitrogen(N)rate could accelerate the decomposition of crop residues,and then improve crop yield by increasing N availability of soil and N uptake of crops.However,it is not clear whether N rate and plant density should be modified after a long period of cotton stubble return with high N rate.This study seeks to assess the effects of N rate and plant density on cotton yield,N use efficiency,leaf senescence,soil inorganic N,and apparent N balance in cotton stubble return fields in Liaocheng,China,in 2016 and 2017.Three plant densities 5.25(D_(5.25)),6.75(D_(6.75))and 8.25(D_(8.25))plants m^(-2) and five N rates 0(N_(0)),105(N_(105)),210(N_(210)),315(N315),and 420(N420)kg ha^(-1) were investigated.Compared to the combination used by local farmers(D_(5.25)N_(315)),a 33.3%N reduction and a 28.6%increase in plant density(D_(6.75)N_(210))can maintain high cotton yield,while a 66.7%N reduction at 6.75 plants m^(-2)(D_(6.75)N_(105))can only achieve high yield in the first year.Biological yield increased with the increase of N rate and plant density,and the highest yield was obtained under 420 kg N ha^(-1) at 8.25 plants m^(-2)(D_(8.25)N_(420))across the two years under investigation.Compared to D5.25N315,N agronomic efficiency(NAE)and N recovery efficiency(NRE)in D_(6.75)N_(210) increased by 30.2 and 54.1%,respectively,and NAE and NRE in D6.75N105 increased by 104.8 and 88.1%,respectively.Soil inorganic N decreased sharply under 105 kg N ha^(-1),but no change was found under 210 kg N ha^(-1) at 6.75 plants m^(-2).N deficit occurred under 105 kg N ha^(-1),but it did not occurr under 210 kg N ha^(-1) at 6.75 plants m^(-2).Net photosynthetic rate and N concentration of leaves under N rate ranging from 210 to 420 kg ha^(-1) were higher than those under N rate of 0 or 105 kg N ha^(-1) at all three densities.The findings suggest that D6.75N210 is a superior combination in cotton stubble retaining fields in the Yellow River Valley and other areas with similar ecologies.

A method to refine crude cottonseed oil using non-toxic polyamine-based cationic polymers

The traditional method to refine crude cottonseed oil is time-consuming and expensive.This study evaluates the effectiveness of coagulation–flocculation–sedimentation process using quaternary polyamine-based polymers in refining crude cottonseed oil.Flocculated by four commercial polyamine-based cationic polymers(SL2700,SL3000,SL4500 and SL5000)with varied molecular weight(MW)and charge density(CD)and followed by coagulation with sodium hydroxide,crude cottonseed oil can be effectively purified.Free fatty acids,gossypol,pigments and trace elements are all effectively and sufficiently removed by the four polymers in a MW-and CDdependent manner.Our results suggest that the use of polyamine-based cationic polymers may offer an effective and feasible alternative to the traditional method for crude cottonseed oil refining.

Improvements of Fiber Yield and Fiber Fineness by Expressing the iaaM Gene in Cotton Seed Coat

Cotton,the most important natural fiber crop in the world,is a mainstay in China's economy.However,for over two decades,cotton yields both in China and U.S.have been at a plateau.

Exploring the Efficiency of Experimental Construction of Sorting Ginned Cotton Seed Machine

In this paper, research has been conducted to increase the quantity of fiber produced in the enterprise by creating a sorting device for spun seeds, dividing them into fractions by geometric dimensions, and by re-ginning, separating those with long fibers. A new model was developed for geometric sorting of cotton seeds in the harvest, and experiments determined its effectiveness and the optimal values of the factors affecting the efficiency using mathematical modeling. Based on the results of the study, graphs of the influence of factors on device performance and on device efficiency were constructed.

Architecture of stem and branch affects yield formation in short season cotton

The cotton direct seeding after wheat(rape) harvested is under trial and would be the future direction at the Yangtze River Valley region of China.The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of branch and stem architecture on cotton yield and identify the optimal cotton architecture to compensate the yield loss due to the reduction of individual production capacity under high planting density in the direst seeding after wheat harvested cropping system.The characteristics of the stem and branch architecture and the relationships between architecture of the stem and branch with yield formation were studied on eight short season cotton cultivars during 2015 and 2016 cotton growth seasons.Based on the two years results,three cultivars with different architectures of stem and branch were selected to investigate the effect of mepiquat chloride(MC) application on the architecture of the stem and branch,boll retention,and the yield in 2017.Significant differences were observed on plant height,all fruiting nodes to branches ratio(NBR) in the cotton plant,and the curvature of the fruiting branch(CFB) among the studied cultivars.There were three types of stem and fruiting branch structures: Zhong425 with stable and suitable plant height and NBR(about 90 cm and 2.5,respectively),high CFB(more than 10.0),and high boll retention speed and seed cotton yield;Siyang 822 with excessive plant height and NBR,low CFB,and low boll retention speed and seed cotton yield;and other studied cultivars with unstable structure of stem and branch,boll retention speed,and seed cotton yield across years.And MC application could promote the appropriate plant height and NBR and high CFB and thus resulted in high boll retention speed and the yield.The results suggested that the suitable plant height and NBR(about 90 cm and 2.5 respectively),and high CFB(more than 10.0),which was related to both genotype and cultural practice,could promote the higher boll retention speed and seed cotton yield.

Impact of Tillage and Herbicides on Weed Density, Yield and Quality of Cotton in Wheat Based Cropping System

Conservation tillage may improve yield of cotton in addition to improvement in soil quality if practiced for longer period. However, the practice may not be productive in short-term particularly when severe weeds are infesting the crops such as Cynodon dactylon, Conyza canadensis, Tribulus terrestris, and Cyperus rotundus, etc. Recent studies indicate that conventional tillage （CT） is more productive than zero tillage （ZT）/reduced tillage （RT）. Performance of cotton under three tillage systems, viz., ZT, RT and CT; and five herbicides, i.e., haloxyfop-R-methyl 10.8 EC （108 g a.i. ha^-1）, lactofen 24 EC （168 g a.i. ha^-1）, haloxyfop 10.8 EC ＋ lactofen 24 EC, hand weeding, and weedy check were evaluated during 2010-2011 at Gomal University, D.I.Khan, Pakistan, to explore the best management option for effective weed control, enhanced yield and quality of cotton grown after wheat. The results revealed that hand weeding and Haloxyfop as post emergence alone or in combination with Lactofen reduced weed density to the minimum irrespective of the tillage systems. Excessive rainfall and cooler temperature limited cotton growth and yield in 2010. The adverse weather conditions had more adverse effect on boll weight under ZT and RT than CT. Haloxyfop ＋ lactofen produced higher seed cotton yield in RT than ZT, however, it could not exceed CT. Broad-spectrum herbicides x CT produced the highest number of bolls/plant, boll weight and seed cotton yield. Fiber quality and net returns were also the highest in broad-spectrum herbicides x CT. In conclusion, broad-spectrum herbicides under CT were more productive in wheat based cropping system on silty clay soil of D.I.Khan.

The State of the Kenyan Cotton Growing Industry

From the early 1960s to late 1980s, the Kenyan cotton growing industry played a vital role in the Kenyan economy in terms of provision of employment and creation of wealth in the rural areas. It also played a central role in the textile industry which was thriving during the above mentioned period. Over the years, cotton production in Kenya has fallen steadily, such that by the year 2000, the country experienced a severe cotton fiber deficit. This study was undertaken to investigate the trend of the cotton growing industry in Kenya. Selected aspects of the industry like cost of production, cotton seed distribution, the operation of cotton gins and the quality of cotton lint were considered. Kohonen Self Organizing Maps （SOM） and K-means clustering techniques were used in data analysis. The results of this study show that Kenyan cotton farmers produced seed cotton at a break-even price of US $ 0.31 per kilogram, while the price offered was US $ 0.29 per kilogram.

Physiological traits and anatomic structures of the seed for two short cotton season genotypes(Gossypium hirsutum L.) under water stress

Cotton(Gossypium hirsutum L.) is utilized commercially in the production of textile, clothing, and household goods. Its growth is affected by various environmental conditions such as soil, climate, and water supply. Irrigation is one of the most important factors for crop management. This research was designed with the aim of studying the biochemical and anatomical features of two genotypes of cottonseed(Latif and Golestan) in order to determine optimum irrigation. Protein, starch, gossypol gland, total soluble protein, starch content, and the anatomical structure of the cotton seeds were investigated. The data were analyzed using the SAS Software. The results showed that when rainfed, Golestan genotype seeds had a larger number of secretory cavities, soluble protein, and starch compared to Latif seeds. There was also a noticeable difference in the size of the seeds. Cellulosic cell walls and protein particles were also observed in the seed structure under induced water stress conditions. It can therefore be concluded that in response to water shortage, there was a noticeable change in the morphometric, anatomic, and biochemical features of the cottonseeds. It can be concluded that when rainfed, the Golestan genotype of cottonseed has more compatibility than the Latif genotype. In general, the application of different levels of irrigation showed that at moderate levels of irrigation, anatomical features appeared more normal. The observations indicate that at high levels of irrigation, some cells begin to dehisce due to osmotic stress, which results in a lack of accurate formation of tissue structures. The Golestan genotype is therefore the best suited for dryland farming.

Co-liquefaction of Cotton Seed and Flos Populi in Sub-critical Water/Ethanol Solvent for Bio-oil with Medical Stone Based Additives

The co-liquefaction behaviors of cotton seed(CS)and flos populi(FP)were investigated in the sub-critical water/ethanol mixed solvent using the medical stone(MS)based additives.Oil products were characterized using FTIR,GC-MS,1HNMR,and 13CNMR techniques.The test results showed that the synergistic effect of co-liquefaction was obvious when the ratio of cotton seed and flospopuli was 1:1 without additives.The additives,such as 12-phosphotungstic acid(PW12),HZSM-5,PW12/HZSM-5 and modified medical stone(MS),PW12/MS,Ni/MS,Co/MS,Mo/MS and Co-Mo/MS,could increase the bio-oil yield;and the modified MS resulted in higher liquefied oil yield than that achieved by MS.Furthermore,additives such as Ni/MS,Mo/MS,and Co-Mo/MS also could increase the yield of aliphatic hydrocarbons in liquefied oil.The addition of Co-Mo/MS could lead to a highest liquefied oil yield of 28.8%,while the additive of PW12/HZSM-5 could result in a highest total conversion of 81.6%.Results also revealed that additives,such as PW12/MS,PW12,PW12/HZSM-5,Ni/MS,Co/MS,Mo/MS,and Co-Mo/MS,could increase the H2 production and decrease the CO2 production in gas products.

Evaluating Protective Terpenoid Aldehyde Compounds in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Roots

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) has epidermal glands containing terpenoid aldehyde (TA) compounds that protect the plant from pests and diseases. One TA, gossypol, has two forms (+) and (-) that are present in varying amounts. This study evaluated the variation in roots for TA compounds and how environment affected the levels of these compounds. Similar to seed, gossypol was the predominant TA in roots. No heliocides were detected with only trace amounts of other TAs, such as hemigossypolone or hemigossypol, detected in a few lines. Among the glanded lines, there were significant differences in gossypol content. Percent plus gossypol was consistently 4% - 10% higher in roots than seed. One line, “Mac7”, had 12 - 14 ug/mg gossypol in roots and 18 ug/mg in seed as well as >90% (+) gossypol in both roots and seed. Unlike other tissues in glandless cotton, the roots of glandless lines consistently produced detectable amounts of gossypol with 77% to 82% in the (+) form. Multi-year field tests showed that although gossypol levels in the roots were more affected by insect pressure or other environmental conditions than seed, there was selectable variation in upland cotton for root gossypol content. Unlike other parts of a glandless plant, the roots retained a functioning biochemical pathway for gossypol production.

Design and Development of Seed Cotton Pre-Cleaner Machinery

The process of transporting and cleaning seed cotton is carried out by passing raw materials through many machines. The efficiency of a cleaner machine depends on many factors and mainly machine design. The cleaner machines clean the seed cotton using mechanical forces, and these forces have a negative effect on the quality of the fiber and seeds. This paper provides results of the experimental research to improve the technology of pre-cleaning seed cotton from foreign matters. The results of research were conducted to reduce the number of machines in the cleaning process and design a new pre-cleaner machine.

Improvement of the Process of Separation of Cotton Fiber from Seeds

The differential equation, obtained as a result of the theoretical study of the movement of the bare seed on the surface of the grate of the saw gin, made it possible to determine the trajectory of the movement of the seed. The rib is one of the main working bodies of the saw gin. It serves for the free passage of the saw blades through it into the working chamber, for the withdrawal of the fiber caught on the saw teeth after separating it from the seed. A number of studies have been carried out to improve the working elements of the saw gin. The purpose of the research is to create the possibility of timely withdrawal of bare seeds from the working chamber of the saw gin by creating a concavity on the working surface of the grate. The use of the Euler equation for the movement of bare cotton seed along the grate contour, taking into account its speed V, density ρ, pressure P, made it possible to obtain a graph of seed distribution along the grate contour. An experimental 30-saw gin was developed and manufactured, the research carried out on it allowed to determine the rational parameters of new grates, which are recommended for introduction into production. The dependence of the location of the rectilinear part of the general contour on the shape of its convexity and concavity is determined. Based on the above equations, using separate functions, we present the view of the grate profile in the coordinate system modeled on the MAPLE-17 program.

Identification of Quantitative Trait Loci Controlling Seed Physical and Nutrient Traits in Cotton

Cotton(Gossypium spp.) is the leading fiber crop,and an important source of the important edible oil and protein meals in the world.Complex genetics and strong environmental effects hinder

Experimental study and simulation on the creep characteristics of machineharvested seed cotton

In view of the unclear understanding of the basic scientific problems such as the rheological mechanism of seed cotton,especially the lack of research on the creep characteristics of seed cotton,the machine-harvested seed cotton in the Xinjiang region was taken as the research object to find out the compression creep characteristics.The universal material testing machine was used to carry out a one-factor creep test,taking moisture content,feed quality,compression times,and trash content as test factors and instantaneous elastic modulus,hysteretic elastic modulus,viscosity coefficient,and delay time as test indicators.The ANOVA and correlation were analyzed by SPSS,and the creep process of the seed cotton was simulated by ADAMS.Results show that moisture content significantly affects the instantaneous elastic modulus,hysteretic elastic modulus,and viscosity coefficient(p<0.01).In addition,each value of which decreases with the increase in moisture content.Feed quality significantly affects the hysteretic elastic modulus and viscosity coefficient(p<0.05).Moreover,the hysteretic elastic modulus and viscosity coefficient increase with the increase in feed quality.The compression times significantly influence the instantaneous elastic modulus,hysteretic elastic modulus,and viscosity coefficient(p<0.01),each value of which increases with the increase of compression times.Furthermore,the trash content significantly influenced the hysteretic elastic modulus and viscosity coefficient(p<0.05).The absolute error between the simulated and experimental values ek is within−0.011-0.030 mm,and the relative errorφk is less than 7%.The experimental results can provide theoretical and data support for the study of rheological characteristics of machine-harvested seed cotton,the design of seed cotton packing devices,and the molding quality of cotton bale(mold).