Browsing by Subject "Cotton"
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Item A Field-Scale Assessment of Soil-Specific Seeding Rates to Optimize Yield Factors and Water Use in Cotton(2011-10-21) Stanislav, Scott MichaelPrecision management of cotton production can increase profitability by decreasing inputs. The overall objective of this project is to improve cotton production by minimizing seeding rates while still maximizing yields and lint quality in water-limited soils. The research for this study was conducted at the Texas AgriLife Research IMPACT Center located in the Brazos River floodplain. In 2008 and 2009, 27 measurement locations were selected in production-sized center-pivot irrigated fields and planted in cotton variety Deltapine 164 roundup ready flex / bollgard II. Sites were selected based on soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) values, in a low, medium, and high ECa zones. Three seeding rates (74,100; 98,800; and 123,500 seeds ha-1) were established in each of the three ECa zones with three replications. In 2009, an additional seeding rate was added at 49,400 seeds ha-1. At each measurement location, soil texture, soil moisture (weekly), lint quantity and quality (High Volume Instrument) were measured. An additional replication for each ECa zone and seeding rate was selected for lint quantity and quality (HVI) measurements. Results indicated that cotton lint yield increased as ECa values, clay content, and water holding capacity of the soil increased. The seeding rates did not consistently affect cotton lint yield or quality. Seeding rates of 74,100 and 49,400 seeds ha-1 in a low and medium ECa zone for IMPACT-08 and -09 yielded more lint (300 kg ha-1), respectively. HVI lint quality parameters, such as, micronaire, fiber length, strength, uniformity, and elongation were significantly better in ECa zone 3. While the seeding rates did not affect the amount of soil water used throughout the season, lint yield variations between ECa zones can be explained by the rate at which soil water was used. Lower rates at which soil water was used within ECa zone 3 resulted in higher lint yields when compared to ECa zones 1 and 2, which used soil water faster and at greater depths. The findings suggest that irrigation applied to the low ECa zone was not sufficient to meet the plants demand, while in a high ECa zone, irrigation could have been reduced, resulting in cost savings through reduced inputs.Item A genetic study of the stormproof boll in Gossypium hirsutum L.(Texas Tech University, 1977-08) Dilbeck, Ray EdwinNot availableItem A study of the free sugars and soluble polysaccharides of stormproof and non-stormproof types of cotton(Texas Tech University, 1970-08) Walter, Kenneth WilliamNot availableItem A study of yearly average qualities of Texas South Plains cotton in comparison with mill average qualities of cotton used in the production of specified fabrics(Texas Tech University, 1957-08) Brown, William WallaceThis thesis purposes to study characteristics of South Plains cotton through comparison of its average qualities with the average qualities domestic mills demand In the production of fifteen principal cotton fabrics.Item A study, from the consumer's standpoint, of the serviceability of double warp tricot made of super-carded cotton(Texas Tech University, 1951-05) Compton, Vellene SandersThe great amount of research carried on in recent years in the synthetic industry has given impetus to more extensive and organized research on cotton. The financing of an adequate cotton research program by the trade alone was impractical because of the large number of widely scattered individuals involved in the cotton industry. Of the one and one-half million cotton farms in the United States more than fifty percent produce less than four bales annually; these farms are spread over eighteen states.^ To secure for the industry the necessary understanding of research organization, problems, and techniques, the Federal Government was asked by the Cotton Textile Institute and other agencies to make its cotton research program adequate to cover the needs of the trade.Item Advancement of cotton (Gossypium) radiation hybrid mapping tools(2009-05-15) Todd, Steven MichaelThe assembly of a robust structural genomics system requires the development and integration of multiple types of genome maps. This research focused on the development of a relatively new means of plant genome mapping, radiation hybrid mapping, for use in cotton genomics. Simple sequence repeat markers were genotyped onto an existing wide-cross whole-genome radiation hybrid panel for genome mapping of the Gossypium barbadense line ?3-79?. A new mapping panel was created for genome mapping of the G. hirsutum line ?TM-1?. Carthagene software was compared to RHMAP and found to be superior in most regards. A total of 92 simple sequence repeat markers were genotyped onto the mapping panel for G. barbadense. Data from 64 of the 92 markers were deemed robust and combined with pre-existing data to develop an expanded framework map, which provides partial coverage of 7 chromosomes and three unidentified linkage groups. A new mapping population was created to allow mapping of the G. hirsutum genome. The population was developed by treatment of TM-1 pollen with 8 krad of radiation, which was used to make more than 1000 controlled cross-pollinations. From these, 979 bolls were harvested and seeds were planted until a population of 115 viable plants was obtained. Of these, 92 were selected at random for inclusion in the mapping panel. Carthagene genome mapping software was evaluated and compared to the previously utilized RHMAP. Carthagene compared favorably in ease of use, calculation speed, and reliability of results. As such, it is recommended for use for the RH mapping project.Item Allelopathy in an integrated rye-cotton-beef cattle system(2011-05) Li, Yue; Allen, Vivien G.; Chen, Junping; Hou, Fujiang; Hopper, Norman W.; Bednarz, Craig W.Small grain cover crops offer opportunities for grazing but effects of cover crops on the following row crop are not well understood. Beginning in 1998, rye (Secale cereale L.) planted alternately each September in a 2-paddock rotation, was grazed intermittently by steers from January until early April, was then chemically terminated, and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) was no-till planted in May, in research conducted at New Deal, TX. Following cotton harvest, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was no-till planted, grazed out by Angus steers (Bos taurus) by June, and land was fallowed until rye was planted in September. By Feb 2006, wheat failed to establish and was omitted from the rotation. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with 3 replicates. Soil was primarily Pullman clay loam (fine, mixed, superactive, thermic Torrertic Paleustolls). Permanently located caged areas excluded grazing and were harvested as hay. In spring 2005, a second cage, adjacent to the original cage (2005) or randomly located in paddocks (2006 and 2007), investigated effects of 1) zero-grazed; 2) exclusion from grazing in 2005, 2007 or 2008 only; or 3) was always-grazed prior to cotton. In all 3 yrs, rye plant heights were taller (P < 0.01) in previously grazed than zero-grazed rye. Height of cotton plants in July were taller (P < 0.01) when planted into grazed than non-grazed rye in all years. Cotton lint yield in 2005 was greater (P < 0.01) when planted into grazed than ungrazed rye but differences were not significant in 2007 or 2008. Allelopathy was suspected. In a 3-yr small plot study, no-till planting cotton into rye or wheat cover crops reduced (P < 0.05) growth, lint and seed yield of cotton compared with no cover crop. Greenhouse trials verified cotton plant suppression by increasing rates of small grain residues and by direct application of 2-benzoxazolinone (BOA), a known allelopathic chemical. Allelopathic compounds, 2, 4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1, 4-benzoxazin-3-one (DIMBOA), 2-benzoxazolinone (BOA), 2, 4-dihydroxy-1,4-benxozaxin-3-one (DIBOA), from rye and wheat were detected in soil and plant material in greenhouse and field experiments. Grazing the cover crop by cattle may help alleviate these negative effects. Cover crops have environmental benefits but negative effects need further investigation.Item American cotton growers industrial textile plant: Colorado City, Texas(Texas Tech University, 1982-12) Boyd, John HNot availableItem An Autoradiographic Study of Gossypium Hirsutum.(Texas Tech University, 1975-08) Smutzer, Gregory StephanNot Available.Item An economic analysis of production responses for cotton and grain sorghum on the Texas High Plains(Texas Tech University, 1967-06) Ethridge, Don E.Farmers on the Texas High Plains, as in other areas of the state and nation, are continually faced with the problem of adjusting to changing conditions. Some of the conditions are changes in resource and product prices, changes in resource levels and technology, changes in enterprise alternatives, and changes in institutional factors. As resource and product prices change, farmers will change the use of existing resources among enterprise alternatives when attempting to maximize profits. For some resources such as stock resources , increasing resource prices from a reduction in the stock will provide incentives for farmers to adjust the resource use. New products or new enterprise alternatives may also offer opportunities for farmers to increase profits. Institutional factors, such as government programs, bank policies, land tenure arrangements, etc., affect farmer's profit maximization positions by affecting resource restrictions or resource costs.Item An empirical investigation of the cotton basis for the southern high plains of Texas(Texas Tech University, 2001-08) Nelson, Jeannie MarieThe general objective of this study was to investigate and identify factors that affect the cotton basis for the West Texas region and to examine the causes of fluctuations in the basis level over time. A GARCH model assuming fourth order autocorrelation, heteroscedasticity, and error-term non-normality was estimated to accomplish this objective. The basis used in this study was calculated using the West Texas DSCQ base cash price and the corresponding NYCE futures price for the December contract. The bases were calculated for each day in each marketing year, and were then averaged to determine a monthly basis. All of the data used in this study were monthly time-series data. Results of this study indicated that U.S. cotton production, U.S. beginning stocks, and the first difference in the price of rayon directly affected the level of the cotton basis for the West Texas region over the time period ranging from 1980 to 2000. The Texas beginning stocks and the opportunity cost of storage were found to inversely affect the level of the West Texas cotton basis for the same time period. Further, results suggested that the basis was wider during months when harvestmg and marketing occurred. The level of the basis was found to be narrowest during the 1985 farm pohcy when compared with the 1980 and 1996 farm policy time periods. However, the volatility of the West Texas cotton basis was reduced during the 1996 farm policy.Item An evaluation of lint yield, fiber quality, and an economic analysis of upland cotton cultivars(2011-05) Stroud, Matthew K.; Thompson, Thomas L.; Bednarz, Craig W.; Johnson, Jeff; Hequet, Eric F.ABSTRACT An Evaluation of Lint Yield, Fiber Quality, and an Economic Analysis of Upland Cotton Cultivars. By MATTHEW K. STROUD, B.S., Texas Tech University (Under the Direction of Thomas Thompson and Craig Bednarz) Water management is a major issue in agriculture production in semi-arid regions such as the High Plains of West Texas. With weather patterns changing from year to year, it is crucial to properly manage irrigation. We observed response functions of multiple irrigation levels on cotton lint yield, fiber quality, and profit. Studies were conducted at Texas Tech University Research farms in Lubbock and New Deal, TX, in 2009 and 2010. Subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) zones were used to evaluate cotton performance. Irrigation treatments ranged from 0 to 0.60 cm per day in 0.05 cm increments. Rainfall between years and locations affected the relationship between irrigation and lint yield. In 2009, at the Quaker (Lubbock) farm, maximum yield occurred at 0.52 cm day -1, before the highest watering level of 0.60 cm day-1, due to below average rainfall. Rainfall quantity and timing impacted fiber quality parameters including micronaire, length, strength and length uniformity. Yield and profit maximums were reached before the highest watering levels for the Quaker 2009 location. In 2010 data was affected by rainfall events at both locations of over 15 cm during squaring. Immediately before harvest, lint yield was reduced to due to a hail storm. It is crucial to observe many years and types of environments to make solid conclusions or recommendations to producers. 2009 had a below average rainfall, while 2010 had an above average rainfall amount. It is imperative that producers properly manage irrigation based on their given environment.Item Attitudinal variability among Southern High Plains cotton producers toward integrated crop/livestock systems(Texas Tech University, 2003-12) Jones, Kelly JayNot availableItem Automation of a Wireless Cotton Module Tracking System for Cotton Fiber Quality Mapping(2010-10-12) Sjolander, Andrew J.The ability to map the profit made across a cotton field would enable producers to see in detail where money is being made or lost on their farms. This ability, which requires sitespecific knowledge of yield, fiber quality, and input costs would further enable them to implement precise field management practices to ensure that they receive the highest return possible on each portion of a field and do not waste materials and other inputs throughout the field. Investigators at Texas A&M previously developed a wireless-GPS system that tracks where a module of cotton comes from within a field. This system is a necessary component in mapping fiber quality, which is a major determiner of price and thus profit. Three drawbacks to the previous wireless-GPS system are that (1) a person must manually trigger the system to send wireless communications when a field machine dumps its load of cotton, (2) multiple field machines of the same type (e.g., two cotton pickers) cannot be used simultaneously on the same system within the same field, and (3) no software is available to automatically produce fiber-quality maps after the data are downloaded from the gin. The first two drawbacks, the need for an automatic communication-triggering system and the needed capability for multiple field machines of the same type are the problems addressed in this work. To solve the first problem, a sensing and control system was added to a harvester to automatically indicate when the machine is dumping a basket load of cotton so that wireless messages can be automatically sent from the harvester to subsequent field machines without human intervention. This automated communication-triggering system was incorporated into the existing wireless- GPS system, rigorously field tested, and ultimately proven to operate as designed. Linking data collected with this system together with classing information will enable producers to create fiber-quality maps, and linking fiber-quality maps with yield and input-cost maps will enable them to create profit maps. Additionally, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) system was integrated with the wireless-GPS system to allow for multiple field machines of the same type. The RFID system was also rigorously field tested and proven to operate as designed. Finally, the entire system was field tested as a whole and operated according to design. Thus, the wireless-GPS module tracking system now operates without human intervention and works with multiple field machines of each type, two additional capabilities required for practical use in large farming operations.Item Biochemical factors associated with photosynthetic activity of cotton(Texas Tech University, 1980-12) Tang, RueilienRecent observations and measurements of whole leaf photosynthetic rates in cotton indicate that the productivity of leaves declines rather significantly prior to the completion of fruit development. These results, coupled with a loss of existing leaf area, indicate that yield potential is possibly not maximized due to inadequate organic material to completely fill the fruit. The photosynthetic rate decline is apparently related to source:sink ratios and possibly to the need for nitrogenous material by the fruit. The exact cause of the response is not known, although it is suspected that carboxylation enzyme activity is intimately involved. The basic objective of this project was to develop an understanding of the causes of the photosynthetic rate decline in aging leaves of cotton.Item Biochemistry and physiology of water stress in cotton, corn, and sorghum(Texas Tech University, 1977-05) Ackerson, Robert CharlesThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of water stress on specific physiological and biochemical processes in field grown cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), com (Zea mays L.) , and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)o These three crops are distinctly different witli respect to their drought tolerance. Investigation of such processes as regulation of water use, photosynthesis and specific enzyme activity were conducted in order to ascertain whether these parameters were differentially affected by water stress in the three species. Elucidating the level of water stress required to inhibit a physiological process or identifying specific factors that confer drought tolerance to one species as opposed to another, may aid in enhancing agricultural productivity particularly in many arid and semi-arid environments. Furthermore, once specific limiting factors of growth under water stress situations are identified, these data can be utilized in a comprehensive effort toward producing more drought tolerant genotypes within a crop species.Item Biophysical characterization of gossypium synaptotagmin-1 C2B domain(2012-05) Shanbhogue, Prajna; Sutton, Roger Bryan; Knaff, David B.; Kottapalli, Kameswara R.Synaptotagmins constitute a family of membrane-trafficking proteins that are characterized by an N-terminal transmembrane region a variable linker, and two C-terminal C2-domains. In humans, neurotransmitter release is a process highly regulated by intracellular Ca2+ levels in association with SNARE complex assembly and SYT-1 protein. In plants SYT-1 is the first synaptotagmin protein identified to participate in Ca2+ dependent repair of membranes, thus playing an important role in stress tolerance. Our long term goal is to tune the response of Gossipium SYT-1 to abiotic stress. Understanding the quaternary structure of SYT-1 C2 in plants as well as how it interacts with its cations and phospholipid is essential to further our understanding of how it exhibits its unique properties. So far, we have been successful in; 1. Developing purification protocols for Gossipium SYT-1 C2B domain, WW and AA mutants. 2. We have circular dichroism (CD) data that shows that it predominantly contains β-sheets. 3. We have probably obtained crystals in several different conditions. 4. We have confirmed the mutants through Mass Spectrometric analysis. 5. We have shown the affinity of Gossypium SYT-1 C2B WT to cations as well as to phospholipids. 6. The effect of mutations in the Ca2+ binding loop of Gossypium SYT-1 C2B was also studied.Item Business models for competitive success in the United States textile industry(2006-08) Welch, James Mark; Lyford, Conrad; Malaga, Jaime; Johnson, Phillip N.; Hunt, James G.Intensifying global competition is threatening the survival of the U.S. textile industry. This research will provide insight and propose strategic responses to this competitive economic environment. The goal of this research effort is twofold: first, to gain a better understanding of the nature of competition in industrial settings, and second, to identify opportunities for successful performance in competitive environments. This research is comprised of three papers that address issues related to strategic response to competitive pressures. The first paper in this dissertation, "Measuring Competition for Textiles: Does the U.S. Make the Grade?" provides a measure of the current competitive state of the U.S. textile industry. This paper evaluates the U.S. competitive position in the cotton yarn segment of the textile industry using established quantifiable measures and provides an overall competitive assessment. The measures employed show the United States to be at a relative competitive disadvantage when compared to major international producers of cotton yarn. However, the margin of this competitive disadvantage is shown to be relatively small. U.S. metrics of competition are trending towards price parity and are virtually equivalent with major competitors in terms of costs of production. The second paper, "Business Models for Competitive Success in the U.S. Textile Industry", provides estimates of how certain strategic decisions impact levels of firm performance in a declining industry. This research provides empirical support for the role of agency of managerial choice in determining performance outcomes. The third paper, "A Model for the High-Value Marketing Pool Concept", develops a general research model for increased marketing returns via product differentiation in the presence of heterogeneous consumer demand. This paper offers a research design to investigate the essential elements of a successful and sustainable high-value marketing pool and the potential this marketing tool might have to increase returns for agricultural commodity producers. Insight gained into the above topics will help firms and producers of the U.S. textile industry cope with increasing levels of competitive intensity. This research seeks to contribute to the store of knowledge in the disciplines of agricultural economics and strategic management through an empirical application of their theories and concepts.Item Characterization of apyrases in pea, arabidopsis, and cotton(2010-05) Kays, Julia Elizabeth; Roux, Stanley J.; Clark, Gregory B.Apyrases are proteins that bind to and hydrolyze most nucleoside di- and triphosphates, but not nucleoside monophosphates. Some function inside the cell; others hydrolyze extracellular nucleotides in the extracellular matrix. In Arabidopsis, apyrases and eATP have been implicated in diverse responses, ranging from phosphate mobilization to herbicide and toxin resistance to overall plant growth. Isolated garden pea nuclei exhibit phytochrome-dependent, red/far red-reversible changes in apyrase activity and in protein phosphorylation. O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) is a post-translational modification that functions in a manner analogous but often antagonistic to O-phosphorylation. Given the known red light effects in pea nuclei and the link between O-GlcNAc and O-phosphorylation, we tested whether O-GlcNAc modification in pea nuclei might change in response to red light (Rc). Western blots showed that anti-O-GlcNAc antibody could sometimes recognize modifications in pea nuclei proteins, but not consistently. Experiments testing red light irradiation, O-GlcNAc transferase inhibitors, and GlcNAcase inhibitors all yielded similarly inconsistent results. As the project progressed we learned that the O-GlcNAc modification is very labile, and that this lability was the probable basis of the inconsistent results. Methods to overcome this technical problem were not readily available and so this project was not pursued further. A second project focused on identifying the members of the protein complexes associated with apyrase in partially purified nuclear preparations. The apyrase complex was isolated from etiolated seedlings of both Arabidopsis and pea by co-immunoprecipitation using antibodies raised against purified protein from each system. Apyrase activity was also compared in etiolated and red-light irradiated nuclei in both systems. For both experiments and in both systems, the complex of proteins associated with apyrase in etiolated and Rc-irradiated nuclei were not consistently different. The discovery of a cotton EST with a sequence similar to other plant apyrases opened a new line of investigation in a model system with fibers that are suited for the study of growth kinetics of single cells. This putative apyrase is expressed at high levels in elongating fibers but not in fibers that are not elongating or in ovules, suggesting that apyrase may influence cotton fiber elongation. Studies of fiber growth kinetics in the presence of inhibitors that block apyrase activity, chemical inhibitors of animal P2X-type purinoceptors, and anti-apyrase antibodies also favor this hypothesis. I cloned the full length cDNAs of GhApy1 and GhApy2. Antibodies raised against a suspected antigenic and variable sequence of GhApy1 were produced and confirmed to recognize native cotton apyrase. Crude protein isolated from pollen exhibited apyrase activity.Item Characterization of fine material in stripped bur cotton as affected by variety, harvest date and method(Texas Tech University, 1980-05) Brashears, Alan D.The cotton industry in the United States has faced many problems dating back to the first written report of cotton in the Virginia colonies in 1607 when the lint and seed was separated by hand. The invention of the toothed cotton gin by VVhitney in 1795 and improvements by Holmes in 1796 were the developraents needed to revolutionize the cotton industry. After the development of the cotton gin, production of upland cotton increased rapidly, reshaping the social and economic history of the United States. The cotton economy remained strong until World War II except for the normal cyclic conditions due to political and economic environment. The development and growth of the synthethic fiber industry after World War II caused a treraendous reduction in demand for cotton in the raarket place. Promotion and development work by the cotton industry has helped recapture some of the market. Cotton dust is presently one of the primary concems of the cotton industry. Regulations to control cotton dust are presently being implemented. The degree of control varies within the specific area of cotton processing. Through research and development the industry is continually searching for technology to meet these proposed standards. Although the regulations specifically mention cotton gins, oil mills, and textile mills, this does not mean that controls and research will or should be confined to these areas. New technology in areas of production and harvesting can have a tremendous impact in reducing contamination before processing has begun.