Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.72, No.2, 269-276, 1999
Stability of X-ray cellulose crystallite orientation parameters in native cotton with change of location and year of growth
In this article, data on cellulose crystallite orientation parameters measured in terms of the Hermans orientation factor, average angle of orientation (alpha(m)), and 40, 50, and 75% X-ray angles in respect to the same 13 cotton cultivars grown at different agroclimatic locations and in different crop years in India are presented and discussed. It was observed that whereas the average values of the X-ray orientation parameters are different for different varieties they remain practically invariant within individual varieties with change of the location of growth. The orientation parameters, therefore, appear to be genetic in origin and independent of the agroclimatic conditions of growth. It is believed that these results can be suitably exploited by cotton breeders in evolving varieties with an increased strength of fibers.