Unit 2 Plant Science Topic-FIBER CROPS

OBJECTIVE 1: Understand what kenaf is and how it is used. Kenaf- is an annual non-wood crop related to okra and cotton. It has many uses that are similar to trees. Kenaf is native to Central Africa. Leaves- used as food for animals & people. Stalks are burned for fuel.

Growth information (United States) Kenaf grows well in the southern and southwestern United States. Kenaf grows from seed. It can grow 12 to 14 feet tall in four to five months.

Kenaf Kenaf fibers can be separated by a machine, like a cotton gin, or by retting (soaking) until the fibers separate easily. Kenaf Video Clip - Georgia (5 min)

Kenaf uses Fibers paper construction materials packing materials animal bedding oil and chemical absorbents. Young Kenaf plants used for animal forage.

OBJECTIVE 2: Describe products that are made from industrial hemp. The first American Flag was sewn from hemp. Hemp can grow in all 50 states. Until the late 1800s, almost all cloth and paper was made from hemp.

3 raw materials are produced from hemp. a. Hemp fiber --textiles, cordage, and paper. b. Hurds -- paper, particle board, plastic, and animal bedding. c. Hemp seed-- oil extracted is used for: food, fuel, paint, lubricants, & varnish.

OBJECTIVE 3: Give examples of products made from flax. Both fiber and seed from the flax plant are processed into products. It was the important textile fiber crop until the invention of the cotton gin. Linen is made from flax fiber Grown in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Flax Video Clip (4.5 min)

Cotton fiber and seeds are used to produce many products. OBJECTIVE 4: Explain how cotton is grown and processed into products for human use. Cotton fiber and seeds are used to produce many products. Cotton is the leading U.S. cash crop. Cotton is grown in 17 states (mostly southern)

Fiber production Cotton is grown from seed Cotton fibers grow inside a boll - the pod or capsule of the cotton plant.

After the bolls break open, the cotton is harvested with a cotton picker. Then cotton is stored in modules and transported to the gin, where it is sucked into the building through pipes. The seed and lint (cotton fibers) are separated, and the lint is pressed into bales and taken to the textile mill.

At the mill, the lint is processed through a series of steps which ends with spinning cotton yarn onto bobbins. The yarn is then turned into fabric on looms.

Cotton seed uses Linters—the short fuzz on the cotton seed—are used for plastics, explosives, paper products, padding for furniture, mattresses, and car cushions. Cotton seed oil is used for shortening, cooking oil, and salad dressing.

Cotton seed meal and hulls are used for fertilizer as well as feed for livestock, poultry, and fish. Cotton Video Clip (8min)