Scientists in Nagpur have announced the development and release of four new naturally coloured brown cotton varieties that could help reduce the textile industry’s dependence on chemical dyes. The research team stated that these varieties produce stable natural shades that remain intact even after washing, making them suitable for large scale textile production.
The four varieties released and notified are Vaidehi 1, 17359 95, 17522 and CNH 18529. Among them, Vaidehi 1 produces the darkest brown shade. Variety 17359 95 also yields a deep brown colour. The 17522 variety belongs to the arboreum desi cotton category and produces a lighter brown shade. CNH 18529 is another dark brown variety developed through the research programme.
According to the scientists, one of the major advantages of these varieties is colour stability. When the cotton is spun into yarn and woven into fabric, the natural shade remains stable even after repeated washing. Researchers emphasised that the colour does not fade significantly, making it commercially viable for textile manufacturing.
The development is seen as a step toward sustainable textile production. In conventional textile processing, cotton fabric is dyed using chemical dyes that require large quantities of water. The dyeing process also generates wastewater that may contain harmful chemical residues. This wastewater often requires extensive treatment before being discharged. By using naturally coloured cotton, the need for dyeing and bleaching can be reduced, thereby lowering water consumption and chemical usage.
Scientists noted that eliminating or minimising the dyeing process can significantly reduce environmental pollution. Textile dyeing is known to consume substantial amounts of freshwater, and untreated discharge can affect rivers and groundwater sources. The newly developed brown cotton varieties offer a natural alternative that may help address these environmental concerns.
In addition to brown cotton, researchers are continuing work on developing stable green cotton varieties. Scientists explained that naturally occurring green cotton does not typically produce a bright leaf green shade. Instead, it appears as a muted or earthy green tone. While the fibres near the seed may show a stronger green colour, maintaining colour stability throughout processing remains a challenge. Ongoing research aims to achieve a consistent and stable green shade suitable for commercial textile production.
The release of these brown cotton varieties reflects growing interest in eco friendly agricultural and industrial practices. By combining plant breeding techniques with sustainability goals, researchers aim to create cotton that supports both farmers and textile manufacturers while reducing environmental impact.
Experts believe that if adopted widely, naturally coloured cotton could transform segments of the textile sector by lowering production costs associated with dyes and wastewater treatment. Further field trials and industry collaboration are expected to determine the large scale commercial potential of these newly developed cotton varieties.
