[Chemistry Class Notes] on Cotton and its Various Uses Pdf for Exam

Cotton is the most important fibre crop produced in India because of the variety of its applications in all fields. Cotton is a Kharif crop that requires approximately 8 months to cultivate. Although in Tamil Nadu, cotton is grown both as a Kharif as well as a rabi crop. In Punjab and Haryana, it is sown in the months of April-May and harvested in the season of December- January. Cotton cultivation has been practiced in India for ages.

Even the Vedic scriptures of India talk about cotton cultivation, cotton spinning, and weaving. India used to dominate the global market due to its flourishing cotton industry but in the 18th century, it was taken over by the British who systematically destroyed the cotton industry in India to fuel the industrial revolution in Europe. Cotton has had a great impact on Indian history and was an iconic statement for the Freedom movement as it figured even on the famous spinning wheel or Charkha of Gandhi Ji.

Types and Uses of Cotton

There are basically four types of commercially grown cotton which are:-

1. Gossypium hirsutum

2. Gossypium barbadense

3. Gossypium arboreum

4. Gossypium herbaceum

Cotton also has various uses in the industrial and domestic sector such as:

• It is very widely used in the textile industry. The use of cotton fabric involves every type of clothing from jackets to normal shirts. 

• It is also used in the medical field. It is known to be used after birth to remove the placenta. 

• The Cotton plant is used in menstrual cycle pain and for irregular periods. 

• Cotton is used in making sanitary pads and diapers. 

• Levant cotton seeds are also used as food and for oil extraction. 

• It is used for making bedsheets. 

• It is used in the manufacture of coffee filters. 

Uses of cotton fibres are because of its specific characteristics such as cotton fibres are soft, cool, breathable, very good absorbent etc. few uses of cotton fibres are listed below–

• It is widely used in the textile industry. Uses of cotton fabric involves every type of clothing from jackets to normal shirts. 

• It is largely used in the medical field. It is known to be used after birth to remove placenta. 

• Cotton plant is used in menstrual cycle pain and for irregular periods. 

• Cotton is used in making sanitary pads and diapers. 

• Levant cotton seeds are used as food and for oil extraction. 

• It is used in making bed sheets. 

• It is used in coffee filters. 

• It is used in making highly absorbent cloths for cleaning purposes.

• Cotton plants are used to feed cattle. 

• Cotton fibre is used in making cords and ropes.

• It is used in making cord for car tyres, plastic reinforcing. 

• Cotton seed is used in plastics, explosives, high quality paper, cushions, flat panel television screens.

• It is used in computer chip boards as well.

• Cotton seed oil is used in margarine, salad dressing, in manufacturing of candles, soaps and detergents, artificial leather etc. 

• Fibre from stalks is used for pressed paper and cardboard.  

Conclusion:

India is one of the largest producers of Cotton and exporters as well. One might find it interesting how cotton is produced. Students can look up this article for everything they need on the topic.