Utilization of Mesta Fibres for Textile Application

Abstract

Mesta plant grown in Institute of Organic Farming, UAS, Dharwad was harvested and extracted for assessment of quality parameters viz., length, fineness, strength and elongation. Spinnability of the fibres in different blend proportions with cotton was studied and the yarn parameters were assessed. Results revealed that stalks harvested at physiological maturity stage processed by urea treatment and vertical-horizontal steeping produced longer fibre. Urea treatment and vertical-horizontal steeping method produced significantly finer fibres than the untreated and horizontally steeped. The untreated urea stalks steeped horizontally produced stronger fibres, than the urea treated steeped vertical-horizontal method. Fibre extracted from untreated and vertical-horizontally steeped stalks exhibited significant fibre elongation. The physical characteristics of 80:20 cotton/mesta blended yarn were better than the 100 per cent organic cotton and 60:40 cotton/mesta blended yarns. Moreover, mesta fibres have added strength to cotton yarn and simultaneously decreased the elongation making the blend suitable for knits, curtains and draperies and other household textiles including table & kitchen linen. Therefore present study was designed to explore the applications of mesta fibre for variegated end uses.