Page 31 - 21 Cotton SA February 2020

/ QUALITY CONTROL AND STANDARDS

An interesting cultivar is Figure 1: Comparison of fibre strength between cultivars per growing region
Paymaster (PM3225). It is for the 2018/19 season, until 16/01/2020 (n = no. of samples).
intended for hand-picking
and not machine-picking
(due to its hairy leaves and
plant architecture), and is
mainly planted by small-
scale farmers under dryland
conditions, representing a
small portion of the total
crop (Figures 1 to 3).
From the data presen-
ted, Candia was the most
popular cultivar across the
growing regions (65% of
samples received to date
were Candia; see the num-
ber of samples tested in
Figure 1). The Candia cul- Figure 2: Comparison of fibre length between cultivars per growing region
for the 2018/19 season, until 16/01/2020 (n = no. of samples).
tivar has a long staple and
good physical properties. It
also responds well to cooler
weather (early onset of win-
ter), making it a popular
choice specifically for the
Northern Cape growing re-
gions. Analyses of samples
from the Northern Cape
showed that it experienced
a better than average grow-
ing season, with good fibre
qualities (Figures 1 to 4).
The fibre strength of
DP1240 (Figure 1) was
much better overall com-
pared to the other cultivars, Figure 3: Comparison of fibre micronaire between cultivars per growing
especially in the Northern region for the 2018/19 season, until 16/01/2020 (n = no. of samples).
Cape. Fibre strength achiev -
ed across all the cultivars
was much better in the
2018/2019 season, which
is an improvement over
previous seasons where
the lower strength values
were a concern. This can
be seen particularly in the
case of Candia, which has
increased from 27 g/tex
achieved over the previous
season, to almost 29 g/tex
this past season.
Continued on page 33 mm
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