Influence of Harvesting Methods on Ginning Operation and Fiber Qualities for Egyptian Cotton

Abstract

The present study was devoted to investigate the effect of mechanical and manual harvest for Egyptian cotton variety (Giza 86) on ginning process and fiber qualities. Mechanical harvesting was undertaken by using picker harvest John deere 9970. Cleaning operation was carried out at Rice Mechanization Center by using cleaning machine. Whereas, ginning process was conducted at cotton Ginning Research Division, Kafr El-Sheikh province during 2006-2007. Ginning prototype machine was used to study the effect of ginning knife speed, feed rate and fiber moisture content on ginning performance (ginning capacity, ginning outturn, ginning efficiency, ginning energy and fiber qualities).The best performance for the gin stand machine were obtained at rotational speed of 600 r.p.m (9.41 m/s) feed rate of 6 kg/h and fiber moisture content of 5.7% where it gave the following results: a) ginning capacity of 16.93 kg/h.m. b) ginning outturn of 44.95%. c) ginning efficiency of 99.33%, and d) ginning energy consumption of about 195.6 w.h.Whereas the best fiber qualities were obtained at rotational speed of 600 r.p.m, feed rate 12 kg/h and fiber moisture content of about 10.32% and the following indicators were obtained: a) Fiber uniformity of 49.9%. b) fiber elongation of 4%. c) fiber strength of 30.2 g/tex, and d) color reflectance of 72.9%.To overcome the labour shortage and the higher wages during harvesting period mechanical harvesting followed by cleaning was recommended which other wise improves some fiber qualities. An Egyptian unit of agricultural area, one faddan = 4200.83 m 2 ** Cantar = 157.5 kg raw cotton