Cotton

Abstract

Cotton is both a fiber and a food crop that is grown in about 130 countries in the world. About 60 countries cultivate at least 5000 ha and use about 2.5% of the world's total arable land area. In 2009/2010 in the world, about 103 million 217.7‐kg (480‐lb) bales [∼22.4 million metric tons (24.7 million tons)] of cotton fiber and 32.4 million metric tons (35.8 million tons) of cottonseed were produced. Cotton is the most important natural fiber (about 35% of the textile fiber consumed in the world in 2008) used to produce apparel, home furnishings, and industrial products. Cottonseed is one of the world's important oilseeds, used for vegetable oil, animal feed, and linters. About 95% of the world's cotton production is derived from varieties of upland cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum ) and about 5% is extra long staple cotton (“ELS”; G. barbadense ). In 2010 biotech varieties make up more than 60% of the cotton grown in the world. Commercial cottons are white. There has been some interest in organic cotton (∼0.6% of world production) and naturally colored cottons (shades of brown and green are the main colors; only a trace is produced). The demand for more “sustainable” / “ecofriendly” cotton and cotton textiles continues to increase. The origin, biosynthesis, biology, development, production, harvesting, ginning, classification, physical properties, textile processing, morphology, physical structure, chemistry, reactivity, economic aspects, utilization, and health and safety are reviewed.