A Novel Method for Accurate Cotton Fiber Length Distribution Measurement in Resource-Limited Settings

Accurate and efficient measurement of the cotton fiber length distribution is crucial for optimizing yarn quality. However, traditional methods require substantial sample quantities, making them less practical in resource-constrained environments. This limitation impedes the widespread adoption of quality assessment techniques in such settings. This study evaluates the Optical Fiber Diameter Analyzer (OFDA) as a rapid and reliable alternative tool for assessing the cotton fiber length distributions. A set of commercial cotton samples with diverse fiber properties was selected to measure the fiber length distribution using the OFDA. The results were analyzed and compared with those obtained from existing methods. Prior to these measurements, the stability of the OFDA was confirmed using standard cotton reference samples. The comparative analysis demonstrated a strong positive correlation between OFDA fiber length profiles and those obtained using conventional methods. In addition, the OFDA allowed comprehensive fiber length distribution analysis using minimal sample mass (as little as 0.05 g), demonstrating significant advantages in efficiency and cost-effectiveness. These findings support the adoption of OFDA in cotton fiber development and breeding programs, particularly where sample availability is limited.