2011 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) The objective of this project is to determine the impact of differences in fiber maturity on ginning and textile processing performance. This research will contribute to a better understanding of the impact of immature fibers on cotton's textile performance. If issues are found, it will demonstrate the need to search for ginning methods to reduce these fibers during the ginning process. Optimize energy use and management of the entire ginning system including module protection and hauling, seed cotton drying and moisture restoration, seed cotton and lint cleaning, fiber removal, baling, bale handling and protection, seed handling and use, and byproduct production and use. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) The control treatment will be to harvest, gin, and mill-clean the fiber approximating commercial processing as closely as possible with research equipment. The experimental treatments will use less mature cotton and both more and fewer saw-type lint cleaners at the gin. Conclusions will be based on analysis of advanced fiber information system (AFIS) data of samples taken from the different material streams. 3.Progress Report This project supports a multi-year effort to examine the effect that fiber maturity has on the damage done to cotton fiber by the standard saw-type lint cleaner and the subsequent fiber damage and effect on cotton processing at the mill. Work is coordinated between cotton production, cotton ginning, and cotton spinning within ARS. Thus far several replications of two cultivars were grown with early termination, and thus low maturity, and normal maturity. This cotton was ginned with several ginning treatments. Fiber analysis found significant differences in maturity as designed. Yarn was spun from the cottons. Analysis is continuing and a third year of data collection is underway.