The USDA is allowing a new strain of cotton that’s edible to move toward commercialization. Texas A&M AgriLife researcher, Dr. Keerti Rathore, spent 23 years studying cotton and found a way to remove the natural toxin gossypol from cottonseeds, which made them inedible to people and most animals. The new seed lacks a significant amount of the toxin in the seeds, but the plant still produces gossypol to protect it from pests.
Texas A & M says the breakthrough will allow farmers to grow cotton for not just fiber, but feed and food since the new seeds can be ground into flour and made into a spread like peanut butter.
Continue reading New strain of cotton moves toward commercialization at Brownfield Ag News.
