Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization on the Quality of Colored Cotton Fibers in the Brazilian Semi-Arid Region

Naturally colored fiber cotton has fibers that present natural colors without the need for dyeing processes or dye application. Low nitrogen availability during production can affect fiber quality. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the fiber quality of naturally colored cotton cultivars as a function of nitrogen fertilization. The research was conducted in an experimental field at the Federal Rural University of Semiarid, Northeast Brazil. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design, with four replications, in a split-plot scheme. Five nitrogen rates were distributed in the experimental plots, and four naturally colored fiber cotton cultivars were distributed the subplots. The following parameters were evaluated: fiber percentage, fiber length, length uniformity, short-fiber index, strength fiber, fiber elongation, micronaire, fiber maturity, and count strength product. BRS Topázio excelled in most fiber quality characteristics. The 100 kg ha−1 of N and 150 kg ha−1 increase the fiber quality of the cultivars BRS Safira, BRS Topázio, and BRS Rubi. The dose of 200 kg ha−1 of N improved the fiber quality of the BRS Verde cultivar. Nitrogen fertilization positively influenced the fiber quality of naturally colored cotton.