| Cotton fibers that adhere to textile processing equipment are referred to as sticky cotton. Sticky cotton is usually a result of insect excrement, called honeydew. However, cotton produced in West Texas occasionally is sticky in the absence of insect honeydew. This type of cotton generally is contaminated by photoassimilate material coming directly from the plant.;Experiments were designed and carried out to identify growing conditions and upland cotton genotypes that were most likely to produce sticky cotton. Harvest aid applications, fruiting positions, temperature changes, and genotypes were considered. Since plant genotype was deemed a critical factor in causing sticky cotton, efforts were made to develop a system by which plants could be bred and selected that produced progeny with a low propensity for sticky cotton.;Chemical harvest aids will reduce the likelihood of producing sticky cotton. Ethephon (2-chloroethyl-phosphonic acid) is more effective on early maturing genotypes than is paraquat (1,1'-dimethyl-4,4 '-bipyridinium ion). Conversely, paraquat is a more effective agent on later maturing genotypes in reducing fiber stickiness potential than is ethephon. The worst harvest aid method often was leaving the plants in the field until growth was terminated by a freeze.;Genotypes differ in their ability to withstand low night temperatures and not produce sticky cotton. Accurate selection of genotypes with a reduced likelihood of producing sticky cotton is difficult because of late-season environmental effects. However, immature cotton bolls can be a useful indicator to determine superior genotypes.;The potential for creating genotypes with improved resistance to residual sucrose and glucose on cotton fiber exists. General combining ability was different among six genotypes for most fiber and plant traits observed. Breeding for reduced sticky cotton appears to be feasible. |
