ANITHA, DASHWINI JOSHI2016-06-012016-06-012011http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/66542Cotton is known to be sprayed with heavy doses of pesticide during its cultivation. These residues pollute all the units of ecosystem posing a threat to human as well as other organisms. Pesticides are known to leave a residue in the soil as well as the substrate on which they are sprayed. To eliminate the affects of pesticide through clothing the concept of organic cotton was evolved. Therefore, the study was directed to discern the effect of pesticide residue on properties of cotton. Organic and non organic cotton of same variety, DHB-915, cultivated under same climatic conditions was procured from the experimental plots of organic farming unit. These fibres were processed into yarn and later woven into fabric under similar conditions. Fibre, yarn and fabric of both types were subjected to laboratory tests to assess the physical and chemical properties The standard BIS procedures were followed to assess the physical properties of fibre, yarn and fabric. The pesticide sprayed on the crop, lambda cyahalothrin, was analysed for residue at each stage through Gas chromatography. The residue analysis revealed that only non organic cotton fibre contained the residue of lambda cyahalothrin residue of 0.05 ppm. Organic cotton samples i.e fibre, yarn and fabric and non organic cotton yarn and fabric showed residues below detectable levels. Organic cotton fibres were found to be short length fibres with span length lower than the non organic cotton fibre. Non organic cotton fibre had more yellowness with dark reflectance while organic cotton had more whiteness. According to the USDA colour grade for cotton, both types of cotton were categorized as light spotted. Uniformity ratio and elongation were similar in organic as well non organic cotton. Both the fibres were fine and had average maturity. The strength of the organic cotton was lower than that of non organic cotton. The traces of the residue present did not affect the non organic cotton properties significantly. Yarn count of organic cotton was finer than the non organic cotton. Also, it was more hairy with less neps. The spinnability of non organic cotton was good with high 71 strength. The residues were below detectable level in both organic and non organic cotton yarn. The geometric properties of non organic cotton fabric were better than the organic cotton fabric. Though organic cotton had greater number of picks per inch, cover factor and fabric weight were slightly high in non organic cotton fibre. The aesthetic properties of both organic and non organic cotton were similar. Both types of fabrics became hairy and pilled slightly. Pesticide residues were below detectable levels and did not affect the fabric properties in any manner. The handle properties of organic cotton were good over non organic cotton. The non organic cotton had greater thickness. No residual role was observed to alter the handle properties. Both the fabrics were equally permeable to air and had similar water repellancy. Organic cotton had good thermal conductivity than the non organic cotton fabric. Non organic cotton fabric had higher tear strength and tensile strength with low extension over the organic cotton fabric. Greater tear strength was found in non organic cotton in warp direction. Hence, it can be concluded that the pesticide residue was not carried over to yarn stage and later to fabric stage. Also, the residue present did not have any significant effect on the fibre, yarn and fabric properties.encotton, economic resources, pesticides, tillage equipment, sampling, productivity, crops, processed products, irrigation, biological phenomenaPESTICIDE, NON-ORGANIC COTTONThesis