kapas

Kapas is the Malay and Indonesian term for cotton, referring to the natural fiber spun from the seeds of the cotton plant, genus Gossypium. Cotton fiber has been cultivated for thousands of years and is valued for its softness, strength, and absorbency. The fiber develops in protective bolls on shrubs that can reach up to two or three meters in cultivated varieties. The fiber is separated from the seeds in a ginning process and then prepared as lint for spinning into yarn and weaving into fabrics.

Cotton plants are adapted to warm climates with a long frost-free growing season. They prefer well-drained soil and adequate moisture. The two most widely cultivated species for textile fiber are Gossypium hirsutum (upland cotton) and Gossypium barbadense (pima or Egyptian cotton). Other species are grown on a smaller scale in some regions.

Historically, cotton originated in the Americas and spread globally through trade, colonization, and later industrialization. Today it remains a major agricultural crop in many countries, supported by modern farming practices, irrigation, and processing facilities. Byproducts of cotton include cottonseed, which is pressed for oil and meal for animal feed, and other seed-derived products.

Fiber quality is assessed by staple length, strength, fineness, and overall appearance. Longer-staple cotton yields finer, more durable fabrics and commands higher prices in textile markets. Environmental concerns associated with cotton production include water use, pesticide application, soil health, and the carbon footprint of processing.