Along with length, strength, micronaire and leaf content, the colour grade of cotton is a critical component of the set of characteristics used to assess the overall quality of a sample of cotton, and thereby determin

Instrument fibre tests indicate that there is no difference between the fibre from transgenic Bt cotton and non transgenic. However there is assumed concern from the spinning and textile sector.

Micronaire is a measure of fibre linear density (fineness) and maturity. Factors affecting supply and partitioning of photosynthetic assimilates to fruit affect micronaire.

Cottonspec, a spinning prediction software, has proven a useful management tool, giving spinners immediate feedback on the fibre quality they use. The program gives excellent predictions of yarn quality.

One aspect of the desire to improve the quality of the Australian cotton crop is to introduce new fibre quality imstrumentation to supplement the current Mircronaire measurement.