Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

Gossypium hirsutum, commonly known as upland cotton, is a widely cultivated species of cotton plant known for its short- to medium-staple fibers. Cotton, in general, refers to several economically significant plant species in the genus Gossypium, prized for their seed-hair fibers. These fibers are used to create a variety of biodegradable fabrics, making cotton a leading global agricultural crop with a long history of use.12

Cotton fabrics are versatile, ranging from lightweight to heavy, and are suitable for apparel, home furnishings, and industrial applications. Cotton is comfortable due to its ability to absorb and release moisture quickly. While conventional cotton farming often requires significant agrochemical inputs, organic cotton is considered a sustainable alternative to synthetic fibers derived from fossil fuels.2

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
2 Britannica Sources
  1. upland cotton
  2. cotton

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.