Describe cotton, bt cotton, organic cotton & naturally colored cotton

Cotton, BT cotton, organic cotton & naturally colored cotton are short descriptions given below-

Cotton

Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plant of the genus Gossypium of the mallow family Malvaceae. The fiber is almost pure cellulose and may contain a small percentage of wax, fat, pectin, and water. Under natural conditions, cotton bolls will increase seed dispersal.

Cotton that is also known as vegetable wool, is a major source of textile fiber. Celebrated for its excellent absorption, durability, and inherent softness, cotton accounts for more than 50% of all clothing produced worldwide. This makes cotton the most used fabric fiber. Up to 1 billion people worldwide depend on the cotton industry for their livelihood, including 100 million small farmers.

Cotton is one of the most chemically-intensive crops in the world. Traditionally grown cotton uses about 25% of the world's pesticides and more than 10% of pesticides. However, the growth and processing of this particular fiber crop are largely unsustainable. For every pound of cotton, a farmer uses 1/3 pound of chemical, synthetic fertilizer.

Overall, U.S. cotton production makes up 25% of all pesticides deployed in the United States. Globally, cotton takes up 2.4% of all arable land, yet 16% of the world needs pesticides. Cotton hulls contain residues of the strongest pesticides. These are often used as cattle feed, which means consumers are buying meat containing pesticide concentrations. Cotton processing on usable fiber increases the burden on the environment. Manufacturers prefer cotton to be white so that the cotton can be easily dyed artificially in any shade of color. Natural cotton is actually beige-brown, and so during processing, manufacturers will add bleach and a variety of other chemical and heavy metal dyes to make the cotton pure white. Formaldehyde resins will be added to make easy-care cotton fabrics.

Bt cotton

Bt cotton has been genetically modified by inserting one or more genes from a common soil bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis. These genes are encoded to make pesticide proteins, and thus, genetically modified plants produce one or more toxins as they grow. The genes embedded in cotton produce toxins that are almost exclusively restricted to the activity of caterpillars. However, other strains of Bacillus thuringiensis have genes that encode for poisoning with the insecticidal activity of some beetles and flies. Some of these genes are being used for pest control in other crops like corn.

Bt cotton was first approved for a field trial in the United States in 1993 and was first approved for commercial use in the United States in 1995. Bt cotton was approved by the Chinese government in 1997. In 2002, BT launched a joint venture between Monsanto and Mahyco Cotton in India. Bt cotton is ineffective against many cotton pests such as plant bugs, stink bugs, and aphids; Depending on the situation, it may be advisable to use pesticides for prevention. A 2006 study by Cornell researchers, the Center for Chinese Agricultural Policy, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences on Bt cotton cultivation in China found that after seven years, these minor pests, which are usually controlled by pesticides, increased, necessitating the use of pesticides. Farmers' profits are lower due to the same level of non-Bt cotton and the additional cost of GM seeds.

Organic cotton

Organic cotton is commonly defined as cotton that is grown organically from non-genetically modified plants in parts of India, Turkey, China, and the United States, and without the use of any artificial agrochemicals such as fertilizers or pesticides. The ones approved by certified organic labels. Its production is supposed to promote and improve biodiversity and the biological cycle.

Organic cotton uses 88% less water and 62% less energy than conventional cotton. In the United States, cotton orchards must meet the requirements of the National Organic Program (NOP) from the USDA to be considered organic. The organization sets out approved practices for pest control, growth, fertilizer, and organic crop management.

Organic cotton is only 1-2% of the global cotton production and is currently being produced in many countries. The largest producers (as of 2018) are India (51%), China (19%), Turkey (7%), and Kyrgyzstan (7%). It is produced in at least 8 countries in Africa. The goal of various industry initiatives is to support organic producers, and various companies, including Nike, Walmart, and C&A, now include organic cotton as part of their supply chain.

Naturally colored cotton

Cotton grows naturally in a variety of colors. Typically, cotton colors can come in mauve, red, yellow, and orange. The use of naturally colored cotton has historically been suppressed, mainly due to the Industrial Revolution. In those days, it was much cheaper to have uniform white cotton as a raw source for fabrics and fabric items. Currently, modern markets have revived a trend of using naturally colored cotton for its significant relevance to mitigating harmful environmental effects. An example of the market opening for this type of cotton is Sally Fox and her Foxfiber business, the naturally colored cotton that Fox has bred and marketed. On an additional note, naturally dyed cotton is already dyed and thus does not require synthetic dyeing during the process. In addition, fabrics made from naturally dyed cotton are not dyed and do not fade compared to artificially dyed cotton fabrics.