Ankita Bharti1, Mahesh Singh2 and Amit Kumar Maurya
Abstract
Cotton seeds are naturally coated with fine fibers known as linters after ginning. However, when these seeds are sown in fields, identifying broken or damaged seeds becomes challenging, leading to a decrease in germination percentage and subsequently resulting in poor yield. Furthermore, storing these fuzzy seeds poses difficulties as they are prone to insect infestation due to their ability to retain moisture. The planting of fuzzy seeds also contributes to uneven plant density within the field. Thus, it is essential to remove these linters from the seeds to enhance germination and yield. While various mechanical methods are employed for delinting fuzzy seeds, traditional techniques such as concentrated and dilute acid delinting of cotton seeds remain prevalent. In this study, we subjected fuzzy cotton seeds of random variety to different concentrations of dilute sulfuric acid (10% and 5%) to determine the optimal concentration for delinting cotton seeds without compromising their viability. Our findings highlight the significance of lint removal or seed delinting as a critical aspect of cotton cultivation practices, aimed at maximizing seed germination percentage in our fields.