Cotton in the new millennium: advances, economics, perceptions and problems

Cotton is the most significant natural fibre and has been a preferred choice of the textile industry and consumers since the industrial revolution began. The share of man-made fibres, both regenerated and synthetic fibres, has grown considerably in recent times but cotton production has also been on the rise and accounts for about half of the fibres used for apparel and textile goods. To cotton’s advantage, the premium attached to the presence of cotton fibre and the general positive consumer perception is well established, however, compared to commodity man-made fibres and high performance fibres, cotton has limitations in terms of its mechanical properties but can help to overcome moisture management issues that arise with performance apparel during active wear. This issue of Textile Progress aims to: i. Report on advances in cotton cultivation and processing as well as improvements to conventional cotton cultivation and ginning. The processing of cotton in the textile industry from fibre to finished fabric, cotton and its blends, and their applications in technical textiles are also covered. ii. Explore the economic impact of cotton in different parts of the world including an overview of global cotton trade. iii. Examine the environmental perception of cotton fibre and efforts in organic and genetically-modified (GM) cotton production. The topic of naturally-coloured cotton, post-consumer waste is covered and the environmental impacts of cotton cultivation and processing are discussed. Hazardous effects of cultivation, such as the extensive use of pesticides, insecticides and irrigation with fresh water, and consequences of the use of GM cotton and cotton fibres in general on the climate are summarised and the effects of cotton processing on workers are addressed. The potential hazards during cotton cultivation, processing and use are also included. iv. Examine how the properties of cotton textiles can be enhanced, for example, by improving wrinkle recovery and reducing the flammability of cotton fibre

Effects of brassinosteroid on cotton regeneration via somatic embryogenesis

Brassinolide (BR), which is the most biologically active brassinosteroid, was used to examine the potential effect of hormone on cotton somatic embryogenesis. Ten-day-old cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L, cv. Cooker) seedlings were used for explant source and hypocotyls were removed and cultured on MS basal medium with 135 vitamins supplemented with 1 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine + 0.5 mg/L kinetin for callus induction. After one month proliferating calli pieces were collected and cultured on MS basal medium containing various concentrations of BR (0.1, 0.5, 1.0 AM) with their controls. BR treatments were negatively effective on the fresh weight of calli when compared to control. Differential somatic embryogenesis maturation rates due to BR treatment were observed. Somatic embryogenesis was stimulated especially for transition to cotyledonary phase at 0.5 mg/L BR. Histological preparations from embryogenic calli and somatic embryos at different stages of development revealed the spontaneous polyploidisation during early somatic embryogenesis on BR-treated calli. Present results suggest that BR negatively effected calli growth, however, had a stimulating role in maturation of somatic embryos

Direct and indirect plant regeneration from various explants of eastern cottonwood clones (Populus deltoides Bartram ex Marsh.) with tissue culture

Populus species are important resource for certain branches of industry and have special roles for scientific study on biological and agricultural systems. Plant regeneration via direct and indirect organogenesis of four Populus deltoides Bartram ex Marsh. ssp. deltoides × Populus deltoides Bartram ex Marsh. ssp. deltoides hybrid clones (89 M 011, 89 M 044, 89 M 048, 89 M 066) and P. deltoides ssp. deltoides clone (Samsun) were investigated. Direct organogenesis was established from nodes and internodes on woody plant medium (WPM) supplemented with cytokinins and/or auxins. The 89 M 011 clone gave the highest percentage (100%) of regeneration on WPM with 1 mg/l zeatine from internode explants. Indirect organogenesis via callus phase was obtained from nodes and petioles on WPM supplemented with different concentrations of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D). The nodes part of the 89 M 066 clone gave the highest rate of generative callus (100%)  on WPM supplemented with 2 mg/l 2,4-D. Indirect shoots were obtained from the node callus on WPM with cytokinins. There was root formation from directly regenerative shoots which were cultured on WPM or Murashige and Skoog Basal Medium (MS) containing different ratios of indole butyric acid (IBA). Rooted seedlings in vitro were successfully acclimatized. Data on in vitro study were subjected to statistical evaluation. The in vitro regeneration system will allow this study to set reliable procedures for the genus and clones.Key words: Poplar, tissue culture, regeneration, organogenesis