Cotton – this ancient cultivated plant has been used as a starting point for the production of textiles for many centuries. Cotton fibers are obtained from their seed hairs. But not all cotton is the same
Which types of cotton are most important for culture?
There are four main types of cotton that are important to the crop: Gossypium hirsutum (90% of world production), Gossypium herbaceum (second most important species), Gossypium arboreum (long white fibers) and Gossypium barbadense (high-quality textiles, 8th % of the world harvest). These species come from different parts of the world and have different characteristics.
4 species among more than 50 species
There are currently around 50 types of cotton that find their home in the tropics and subtropics. There are both annual and perennial specimens. But only 4 species are important for culture today.
Gossypium hirsutum
This species, also known as highland cotton or upland cotton, accounts for 90% of world production. It is therefore the most important supplier of cotton fibers. It is grown all over the world.
Gossypium hirsutum comes from America. The plant grows to a height of between 150 and 200 cm. Its flowers are white to yellowish and turn red as they fade. The fibers of this cotton are 25 to 30 mm long. The longer fibers are white and the shorter fibers are colored light gray.
Gossypium herbaceum
The second most important type of cotton is called Gossypium herbaceum or Levante cotton. It probably comes from Southwest Asia and is now grown primarily in China, India and Pakistan.
This species is usually cultivated as an annual. Their fibers are short and coarse. This means that it is considered to be of lower quality. The plant reaches a height of up to 150 cm. The petals of its flowers are yellowish and have a reddish spot at the base.
Gossypium arboreum
These are the properties of Gossypium arboreum (Tree cotton):
- originating from India and Sri Lanka
- shrub to tree-shaped growth
- growing 2 to 3 m high
- perennial
- yellow flowers
- provides long white fibers and short fibers
Gossypium barbadense
Here are the characteristics of the fourth type, which is mainly grown in India, Peru and Egypt:
- growing 2 to 3 m high
- Shrub or subshrub
- Flowers: light yellow with dark red spots
- makes up 8% of the world harvest
- has fibers with a length of over 32 mm
- used to produce high-quality textiles
- other names: Sea Island cotton, Pima cotton
Tip
All of the four types of cotton are not suitable for outdoor cultivation in our latitudes. However, in the warm apartment you can give it a try.
