Cotton

Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants of the genus Gossypium in the mallow family Malvaceae. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. Under natural conditions, the cotton bolls will increase the dispersal of the seeds.

History

The plant is a shrub native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including the Americas, Africa, Egypt and India. The greatest diversity of wild cotton species is found in Mexico, followed by Australia and Africa. Cotton was independently domesticated in the Old and New Worlds.

Uses

The fiber is most often spun into yarn or thread and used to make a soft, breathable textile. The use of cotton for fabric is known to date to prehistoric times; fragments of cotton fabric dated to the fifth millennium BC have been found in the Indus Valley Civilization, as well as fabric remnants dated back to 6000 BC in Peru.

Production

Cotton is a valuable crop because it is a mainstay of many economies, especially in developing areas. It requires a lot of water to grow and process, and it is often grown with large amounts of pesticides. Cotton production is very labor-intensive, but mechanization and genetic engineering have reduced the cost.

Health implications

Cotton can be a source of allergens, especially in occupational settings. Cotton dust can cause byssinosis, a lung disease. Cottonseed oil is used in some margarines, salad dressings, cosmetics, soap, candles, water proofing agents and other products.

See also

• Cotton gin
• Cottonseed oil
• Cotton production
• Cotton-spinning machinery
• Cotton-picking
• Cotton processing

External links

• National Cotton Council of America
• Cotton Australia

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