Fiber Properties of Saw and Roller Ginned Naturally Colored Cotton

Naturally colored cottons have economic and environmental appeal because they do not require dyeing.  Naturally colored cottons do not have the same fiber length and strength as white cotton cultivars.  To determine the optimal ginning process for colored fiber two (G. hirsutim) colors were roller and saw ginned following a complete block experimental design.  HVI and AFIS analysis favored roller ginning.  It resulted in 0.7 mm (1/32 in) greater HVI fiber lengths and 33% fewer AFIS fiber neps compared to saw ginning.  This increase in fiber value may justify the higher cost of roller ginning.