COTTON FIBER SECONDARY WALL DEVELOPMENT - TIME VERSUS THICKNESS

Secondary wall thickness is a function of maturity in cotton fibers. F ibers begin to elongate at anthesis, and elongation continues for appr oximately 20 days. As this elongation period ends, deposition of the s econdary wall begins and continues for 25-30 days until the boil ''mat ures'' and opens. The exact period of elongation and secondary thicken ing depends on factors such as variety, growing temperature, and light level. This microscopical study illustrates rates of secondary wall d evelopment in three cotton varieties, and shows effects of drastic cha nges in light and temperature, as well as differences in fiber develop ment within a single boll.