Study on characteristics of colored cotton fiber development
彩色棉纤维发育的特性研究

Pigment matter in fiber cells of brown or green cotton could be extracted by HNO 3/ethanol distillation, and its content could be estimated by absorbance reading at 412 nm for distillation solution Pigment matter in brown or green cotton fiber cells could be obviously detected when fiber cells grown up to about 15 days post anthesis (DPA), reaching a maximum content at 20 DPA Fiber color change from white to brown in the boll of brown cotton was not found until 30 35 DPA, and brown color was very stable and even deepening in the sunlight However, fiber in the green cotton boll began to be colored green at 20 DPA, after this, fiber color was gradually deepened with fiber development, but easy to fad in the sunlight Cellulose content in brown or green cotton fiber was significantly lower than in white cotton fiber, which might be caused by accumulation of fiber pigment matter Between 15 and 30 DPA, the pH in white fiber cells lowered rapidly, while that in brown or green fiber cells slowly It was suggested that a rapid or slow decline for fiber cell pH during this period might bring some effects on fiber cell elongation, secondary wall synthesis and color change Comparing with white fiber, quality of brown or green colored fibers was lower, such as shorter length and weaker strength, which possible reason was discussed in the paper