Upland Cotton Flashcards

Upland Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

Overview

• Upland cotton, scientifically known as Gossypium hirsutum, is a significant fiber crop with a rich history and diverse uses.

History

• Scientific Name: Gossypium hirsutum
• Archaeological evidence suggests usage for over 4000 years in Mesoamerica for textiles and rituals (Vega et al., 2023).
• Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is produced in over 30 countries and is the most important natural fiber globally (Park et al., 2010).

Botanical Characteristics

• Family: Malvaceae
• It is an annual to perennial subshrub.
• Typically grows to 5 feet tall.
• Features large yellow or white-cup shaped flowers that mature into a cotton boll containing fibers and seeds.
• Fruit type: Capsule
• The capsule is 1.5-2.5 inches round and light green, maturing to brown.
• Grows in warm climates with well-drained soil.
• Common names: Upland cotton, Mexican cotton

Cultivation Practices

• Cultivated in regions like the United States, India, and Brazil (Coppens d'Eeckenbrugge & Lacape, 2014).
• Intensive cotton cultivation programs were promoted in Mexico during the 19th and 20th centuries (Vega et al., 2023).
• Considered as "white gold" due to its high economic relevance.
• Genetically modified cotton cultivation began in 1996, aiming to address pest problems (James, 2016).
• Traditional farming systems like milpas often interplant cotton with corn or squash (Vega et al., 2023).

Uses

• Textile Industry Uses
  • Production of fabrics
  • Industrial textiles
  • Home textiles
• Medical Purposes
  • Personal hygiene products
  • Manufacture of products like bandages

Challenges and Sustainability

• Challenges
  • Susceptible to pests, leading to significant crop losses.
  • Potential global losses due to cotton insect pests range from 35 to 41% (Oerke 2002).
• Sustainability
  • Use of modern seed technology.
  • Application of advanced research, machinery, and eco-friendly agricultural practices.
  • Use of genetically modified cotton.

References

• Coppens d’Eeckenbrugge, G., & Lacape, J.-M. (2014a, September 8). Distribution and differentiation of wild, feral, and cultivated populations of perennial upland cotton (gossypium hirsutum L.) in Mesoamerica and the Caribbean. PloS one.
• León, F. P. (n.d.). Gossypium hirsutum. Gossypium hirsutum (Mexican Cotton, Upland Cotton) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.
• Oerke. (2002). Global status of GM crops - cotton.
• Park, W., Scheffler, B. E., Bauer, P. J., & Campbell, B. T. (2010, July 13). Identification of the family of aquaporin genes and their expression in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutumL.) - BMC plant biology. SpringerLink.
• Vega, M., Quintero-Corrales, C., Mastretta-Yanes, A., Casas, A., López-Hilario, V., & Wegier, A. (2023, March 8). Multiple domestication events explain the origin of gossypium hirsutum landraces in Mexico. Ecology and evolution.