Cotton

Cotton is a natural fiber obtained from the seeds of plants in the genus Gossypium. The fiber is soft, fluffy, and highly absorbent, and it can be spun into yarn for fabrics. Cotton accounts for a large share of global textile production.

The cultivated species include Gossypium hirsutum (upland cotton), which accounts for most of world production, G. barbadense (extra-long staple cotton, such as Pima or Egyptian cotton), and the Old World species G.arboreum and G. herbaceum. Cotton fibers develop inside the boll around the seeds and are harvested when mature.

Cotton grows best in warm climates with a long frost-free growing season, ample sunshine, and moderate to high rainfall or irrigation. It prefers well-drained soils. Crop management often involves pest control, fertilizer use, and crop rotation to maintain soil health and reduce pest pressure.

After harvest, seeds are separated from the fiber by ginning. The lint is then spun into yarn and woven or knitted into fabrics. Fiber properties such as staple length, strength, and fineness influence textile quality; long-staple varieties yield higher-quality materials.

Uses include clothing, home textiles, and industrial textiles. By-products from cotton include cottonseed oil and meal, which are used in food and feed, as well as linters and hulls used for other products.

Cotton production raises environmental concerns, including water use and pesticide exposure. Sustainability efforts focus on improved irrigation efficiency, integrated pest management, and initiatives such as organic cotton and certification programs.