Cotton is one of the best organic materials in all times of human history, used in various industries. The main consumer of fiber is the textile industry, which cannot be imagined without cotton. Fabrics made of this material have excellent characteristics.
Cotton over time remains in demand, as well as many centuries ago.
Description
Cotton is a plant fiber covering the seeds of a cotton plant. It is one of the most important and common cultures around the world. It occupies a leading position as the basis for the production of fabrics. There are dozens of species of this plant.
By external characteristics, cotton grows like a shrub. Similarity is determined by the presence of branches and leaves. A good example is the following photo of cotton.
In fact, cotton, depending on the species, is a woody or herbaceous plant. It takes root only in hot countries, it needs a warm and humid climate. Its height is from a meter to one and a half meters. The flowers of the plant with their color also differ in varietal characteristics, can be pollinated independently. The fruit is a cotton box in which seeds and fibers ripen.
History
In order to find out how cotton grows, it is useful to read a short historical background about it.
The cultivation of cotton has a long history. Excavations of ancient settlements confirm this. The country that started cotton is India. It was there that the oldest samples of material and tools for its processing were found. Further, cotton fiber became widespread in Greece and the Arab countries. Excavations in China, Persia, Mexico, and Peru also speak of the cultivation of cotton for several millennia BC.
From countries growing crops, cotton products have spread to Asia and America. Self-cultivation of cotton by these countries began much later.
Before cultivation in Europe, there were many legends about how cotton grows. Several variants of names in different cultures have survived to this day, as well as images of a cotton tree according to people's ideas.
Cotton growing
The ripening period of cotton fiber varies depending on the variety: from 100 to 200 days.
To grow cotton fiber, a well-prepared porous soil is required. The presence of nutrients in it is of great importance for the full growth of the plant. Therefore, the land before sowing is enriched with various fertilizers.
Warm climatic conditions also play a huge role. Seeds can germinate at a temperature of at least 15 degrees. For development and further flowering, the temperature should reach 30 degrees. Cotton needs open access to the sun. In the shade, the plant may die.
Cotton uses a lot of water. Providing plants with moisture should occur abundantly and constantly. At the same time, cotton is able to tolerate drought due to a well-developed root system. But under such conditions, the yield is reduced.
Cotton ripening on the plant is uneven, therefore, the harvest takes place in several stages. Often, leaves are collected before collection, which may interfere with the harvesting process.
After the maturation of the fiber box, it opens. The collection of cotton begins, which takes place mechanically or manually. Boxes of ripened fiber along with the seeds are torn off the plant. Further, the raw materials are cleaned from seeds, dust and debris, and transported to their destination.
The properties
Cotton fiber has a number of positive properties:
- perfectly absorbs moisture;
- does not cause allergies;
- warms, retains heat;
- has high air permeability;
- does not need complicated care;
- has a low cost;
- convenient when sewing various clothes.
Cotton also has several negative properties:
- without the addition of synthetic fabrics, it is crushed, stretched and thinned;
- quickly loses color with great access to sunlight;
- loses its properties after prolonged contact with water.
Application
Cotton fiber is used in various spheres of human activity.
First of all, cotton is used in the textile industry. From it, fabrics of various characteristics and color are produced. For example, satin, flannel, chintz and many others. Cotton fiber is used in the manufacture of threads, yarn, cotton wool, paper and even explosives.
Cotton seeds are also used in industry. Some of them are preparing for further landing. Oil is squeezed from the rest of the seeds for consumption. Low quality oil is used for technical needs. The raw materials remaining after squeezing the oil are rich in protein, so animal feed is made from it.
Out of dozens of cotton varieties, several types are used for the manufacturing industry.
Information on how cotton grows and its use in industry is interesting and important. This plant has played a large role in the history of mankind for many centuries.