Handbook of Natural Fibres: Volume 1: Types, Properties and Factors Affecting Breeding and Cultivation

The Handbook of Natural Fibres, Second Edition, Volume One: Types, Properties and Factors Affecting Breeding and Cultivation covers every aspect of natural fibers, their breeding, cultivation, processing and applications. This volume features fundamental discussions of each fiber, covering different stages of breeding and cultivation. Natural fibrous resources, both lignocellulosic and protein ones, are renewable, biodegradable, and nontoxic, making them an important source of sustainable textile solutions. A broad range of natural fibers are covered in this book, including cotton, jute, kenaf, flax, hemp, sisal, ramie, curaua, pineapple, bamboo, coir, sheep wool, and more.

Provides detailed instructions for how to carry out the latest scientific methods for identifying natural fibersExplains properties of natural fibers that will be of interest to readers in growth fields like biocomposites and nanofibersIncludes a rare overview of emerging natural fibers and their uses, along with sources of further information

1A Introduction to natural textile fibres 1B World natural fibre production and employment

Part One Fundamentals: Types of fibre, properties, identification and testing 2 Bast fibres: jute 3 Bast fibres: ramie 4 Bast fibres: kenaf 5A Bast fibres: flax 5B Bast fibres: hemp cultivation and production 6 Abaca: cultivation, obtaining fibre and potential uses 7 Bamboo fibre 8 Coconut fibre: its structure, properties and applications 9 Wool fibres 10 Mohair, cashmere and other animal hair fibres 11 Silk fibres e structure, properties and applications 12 Fibre plants of arid regions of North Africa 13 Mineral fibres: basalt 14 Identification of natural textile fibres 15 Testing of natural textile fibres

Part Two Improving natural fibre production through breeding and cultivation 16 Cotton breeding 17 Developments in fibrous flax and linseed breeding and cultivation 18 Prevention of fungi and bacteria growth in natural fibres 19 Wild silks: their entomological aspects and their textile applications 20 New emerging natural fibres and relevant sources of information