Effect of moisture and storage condition of cotton fiber in a modual.

By Woods Houghton Eddy County Agriculture Agent From Cotton Production Manual University of California Extension publication 3352` I was asked some question on module building today and thought there may be other out there with the same question. Several variables influence fiber quality in a module Moisture content is the most important of these variables. Other variables include length of storage amount of high moisture foreign material, (weeds, regrowth)and initial temperature of the seed-cotton, temperature ot the seed-cotton in storage an d days in storage. See Graft 1. Color was the only fiber quality adversely affected by storing the seed-cotton at elevated moisture levels. Fiber yellowness increased sharply above 13% moisture. Seed-cotton stored for 45 days at 16%moisture increased yellowness by61 to 78%. What it come down to is seed-cotton moisture should be monitored during the picking process either to prevent the production of modules with excessive moisture or else to identify those modules so the can be ginned before the quality is lost. Increased in module temperature is an after-the-fact indicator of an excessive moisture condition that could have been avoided. Internal module temperature should be checked on a daily basis for the first 5 to 7 days, then every 3 to 4 days. a rapid continuing rise in temperature of 15 to 20 F or more during this period generally signifies high moisture, the module should be ginned as soon as possible. If the temperature of 120F is reached, the module should be ginned immediately to avoid major losses. High moisture modules cand increase in temperature slowly over a period of up to several weeks. Module that are harvested at a safe storage moisture will generaly not increase more than 10 to 15 F duing the first 5 to 7 day period. These modules will level off and may even start cooling down with in a few week after the first week.