Texas Community Celebrates Cotton Research
September 24, 2012 It’s been another tough year for the cotton industry in West Texas, with lingering drought conditions putting a dent in the region’s overall production. But there are still plenty of things to be positive about in Texas, and the cotton industry can join in celebrating the accomplishments that have been made by the cotton researchers at Lubbock-based Texas Tech University (TTU). That research was highlighted in a recent video release that recalled some of the school’s major breakthroughs.
Since its founding in the early 1900s, TTU has been at the forefront of cotton research. Collaboration between researchers and the industry has significantly enhanced the quality and the yield of cotton produced in United States.
TTU celebrated its achievements in cotton research at a recent college football game under the theme, “Celebrate Cotton: We Clothe America.” During the Just before the beginning of the game between TTU and University of New Mexico, a video entitled “Texas Tech on Forefront of Cotton Research” was shown to the crowd. The video provided a snapshot of the myriad cotton research and development activities taking place at TTU and highlights Bayer CropScience, a denim runway competition, and Fibertect, a decontamination technology developed by researchers at TTU.
Bayer CropScience – which develops, produces, and markets cotton varieties and hybrids throughout the world via its FiberMax, Stoneville, and SurPass brands – has provided $7.5 million to Texas Tech to carry our multidisciplinary cotton research projects.
Mike Gilbert, the company’s vice president, said, “We feel this partnership is very important to our mission of providing the very best in cotton seed and trait products to our customers and stakeholders.”
The Fibertect product developed at TTU finds applications in environmental rescue situations and Homeland Security-related issues.
The emphasis TTU puts on cotton research was highlighted by Dr. Michael Sanfrancisco, acting vice president for research, who stated, “Cotton research at Texas Tech is an interdisciplinary activity that blends a wide range of expertise-from genetic engineering, to physiology, economics, crop science and technology. This work impacts plant drought tolerance, improved fiber quality, crop yield and the development of novel products. Faculty involved in these projects prepare our students-the next generation, to become leaders in this arena.”
“The ‘Texas Tech Celebrates Cotton Game Day’ was a great opportunity to showcase the significant importance of the whole cotton industry to our region and state,” said Steve Verett, executive vice president of Lubbock-based Plains Cotton Growers. “Equally important was to highlight the critical partnership with Texas Tech University and the cotton research performed there. We are hopeful this is just the beginning of many more annual events in the future.”
To watch the video, please click here.
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