Organic cotton: Organic cotton refers to cotton that has obtained organic certification and is grown using organic methods from seed selection to cultivation to textile production.
Classification of cotton:
Genetically modified cotton: This type of cotton has been genetically modified to have an immune system that can resist the most dangerous pest to cotton, the cotton bollworm.
Sustainable cotton: Sustainable cotton is still traditional or genetically modified cotton, but the use of fertilizers and pesticides in the cultivation of this cotton is reduced, and its impact on water resources is also relatively small.
Organic cotton: Organic cotton is produced from seeds, land, and agricultural products using organic fertilizers, biological pest control, and natural cultivation management. The use of chemical products is not allowed, ensuring a pollution-free production process.
Differences between organic cotton and conventional cotton:
Seed:
Organic cotton: Only 1% of cotton in the world is organic. The seeds used for cultivating organic cotton must be non-genetically modified, and obtaining non-GMO seeds is becoming increasingly difficult due to low consumer demand.
Genetically modified cotton: Traditional cotton is usually grown using genetically modified seeds. The genetic modifications can have negative effects on the toxicity and allergenicity of crops, with unknown effects on crop yield and the environment.
Water consumption:
Organic cotton: The cultivation of organic cotton can reduce water consumption by 91%. 80% of organic cotton is grown in dryland, and techniques such as composting and crop rotation increase soil water retention, making it less dependent on irrigation.
Genetically modified cotton: Conventional farming practices lead to decreased soil water retention, resulting in higher water requirements.
Chemicals:
Organic cotton: Organic cotton is grown without the use of highly toxic pesticides, making cotton farmers, workers, and agricultural communities healthier. (The harm of genetically modified cotton and pesticides to cotton farmers and workers is unimaginable)
Genetically modified cotton: 25% of pesticide usage in the world is concentrated on conventional cotton. Monocrotophos, Endosulfan, and Methamidophos are three of the most widely used insecticides in conventional cotton production, posing the greatest danger to human health.
Soil:
Organic cotton: Organic cotton cultivation reduces soil acidification by 70% and soil erosion by 26%. It improves soil quality, has lower carbon dioxide emissions, and improves drought and flood resistance.
Genetically modified cotton: Reduces soil fertility, decreases biodiversity, and causes soil erosion and degradation. Toxic synthetic fertilizers run off into waterways with precipitation.
Impact:
Organic cotton: Organic cotton equals a safe environment; it reduces global warming, energy use, and greenhouse gas emissions. It improves ecosystem diversity and reduces financial risks for farmers.
Genetically modified cotton: Fertilizer production, fertilizer decomposition in the field, and tractor operations are important potential causes of global warming. It increases health risks for farmers and consumers and reduces biodiversity.
The cultivation process of organic cotton:
Soil: The soil used for cultivating organic cotton must undergo a 3-year organic conversion period, during which the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers is prohibited.
Fertilizers: Organic cotton is fertilized with organic fertilizers such as plant residues and animal manure (such as cow and sheep dung).
Weed control: Manual weeding or machine tillage is used for weed control in organic cotton cultivation. Soil is used to cover the weeds, increasing soil fertility.
Pest control: Organic cotton uses natural enemies of pests, biological control, or light trapping of pests. Physical methods such as insect traps are used for pest control.
Harvesting: During the harvesting period, organic cotton is manually picked after the leaves have naturally withered and fallen. Natural colored fabric bags are used to avoid pollution from fuel and oil.
Textile production: Biological enzymes, starch, and other natural additives are used for degreasing and sizing in the processing of organic cotton.
Dyeing: Organic cotton is either left undyed or uses pure, natural plant dyes or environmentally friendly dyes that have been tested and certified.
Production process of organic textile:
Organic cotton ≠ Organic textile: A garment may be labeled as "100% organic cotton," but if it does not have the GOTS certification or the China Organic Products certification and organic code, the fabric production, printing and dyeing, and garment processing may still be done in a conventional way.
Variety selection: Cotton varieties must come from mature organic farming systems or wild natural varieties that are collected by mail. The use of genetically modified cotton varieties is prohibited.
Soil irrigation requirements: Organic fertilizers and biological fertilizers are mainly used for fertilization, and irrigation water must be free from pollution. After the last use of fertilizers, pesticides, and other prohibited substances according to organic production standards, no chemical products can be used for three years. The organic transition period is verified after meeting the standards through testing by authorized institutions, after which it can become an organic cotton field.
Residue testing: When applying for organic cotton field certification, reports on heavy metal residues, herbicides, or other possible contaminants in soil fertility, arable layer, plow bottom soil, and crop samples, as well as water quality test reports of irrigation water sources, must be submitted. This process is complex and requires extensive documentation. After becoming an organic cotton field, the same tests must be conducted every three years.
Harvesting: Before harvesting, on-site inspections must be conducted to check if all harvesters are clean and free from contamination such as general cotton, impure organic cotton, and excessive cotton mixing. Isolation zones should be designated, and manual harvesting is preferred.
Ginning: Ginning factories must be inspected for cleanliness before ginning. Ginning must be conducted only after inspection, and there must be isolation and prevention of contamination. Record the processing process, and the first bale of cotton must be isolated.
Storage: Warehouses for storage must obtain organic product distribution qualifications. Storage must be inspected by an organic cotton inspector, and a complete transportation review report must be held.
Spinning and dyeing: The spinning area for organic cotton must be isolated from other varieties, and production tools must be dedicated and not mixed. Synthetic dyes must undergo OKTEX100 certification. Plant dyes use pure, natural plant dyes for environmentally friendly dyeing.
Weaving: The weaving area must be separated from other areas, and the processing aids used in the finishing process must comply with the OKTEX100 standard.
These are the steps involved in the cultivation of organic cotton and the production of organic textiles.
Post time: Apr-28-2024