COTTON SEED DELINTING: IMPLICATIONS FOR SEED PHYSIOLOGICAL QUALITY

This review article addresses the impacts of delinting on the physiological quality of cotton seeds, highlighting the importance of this process for the production chain. The main delinting methods, such as chemical, mechanical, and flaming, are presented, discussing their advantages and limitations. The review shows that, when properly performed, delinting contributes to better water absorption, pathogen reduction, and uniformity in seed germination. Furthermore, it discusses emerging technologies for quality assessment, including image analysis with artificial intelligence and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR), which provide faster, more accurate, and less subjective evaluations. Sustainable delinting techniques are also addressed, highlighting simple and accessible equipment for small producers, aligning with agroecological practices. The reuse of residual lint as raw material for pulp and paper production reinforces the focus on sustainability and circular economy in the cotton sector. Despite the advances, the review points to limitations such as the scarcity of integrated studies that evaluate the physiological, sanitary, and biochemical aspects of seeds and the lack of methodological standardization, which hinders comparisons and meta-analyses. It is recommended that future research explore sustainable methods, biochemical effects, and the behavior of seeds under different storage conditions. Finally, the need to expand the scientific and technological base to improve delinting is emphasized, ensuring seed quality and the competitiveness of Brazilian cotton farming.