The Multiplicative Analytic Hierarchy Process (MI_(AHP))As a Quality Criterion Determining the Technological Value of the Egyptian Cotton Varieties

摘要

This study was undertaken to develop a numerical process that can be used as a quality criterion to determine the technological value of the Egyptian cotton varieties, which in turn would denote the end-use of their fibres. However the material used in the study comprised the 6 Egyptian cotton varieties Giza_(70), Giza_(80) Giza_(86) Giza_(88), Giza_(90) and Giza_(92). According to the local practice in Egypt, Giza_(70), Giza_(85)and Giza_(92)belong to the Extra-Long Staple (ELS) category, while Giza_(80) Giza_(86) and Giza_(90) are included under the Long Staple (LS) category. The regression analysis of the relationships between fibre properties and yarn skein strength (lea product) of the 2 carded ring counts 40 and 50 Ne, was employed to drive the following equation for calculating the Multiplicative Analytic Hierarchy Process (MI_(AHP)) values. FS is the fibre strength, UHML is the upper half mean length, UI is the uniformity index, FE is the fibre elongation, FF is the fibre fineness [micronaire value] and SFC is the short fibre content. The values of the MIAHP have been used as numerical determinations of the technological values of the Egyptian cotton varieties. Nevertheless, the findings of this study clarfied that with respect to the criteria weights, the pair-wise comparisons denoted thatfibre length properties of Egyptian cotton rankedfirst where they revealed the most dominant effect on yarn strength, while tensile properties ranked second with a relative weight close to that of fibrelength. On the contrary, the relative weight offibre fineness (micronaire reading) was found to be marginal. With regard to the relative weight of sub-criterion, the pair-wise comparisons indicated that the role offibre tenacity as a determinant of yarnstrength is much superior to that offibre elongation. Further the global weights of the sub-criterion of fibre length pointed out that the UHML (upper half mean length) plays an important role in determining yarn strength of the Egyptian cotton comparing with either the UI (uniformity index) or the SFC (short fibre content). In conformity with the values of the MI_(AHP), it was found that in the order of descending rank, Ciza_(88) ranked first, followed by Giza_(92), Giza_(70), Giza_(86), Giza_(80) andfinally Giza_(90). Thus, it is apparent that regarding the technological values of the Egyptian cotton fibres, the Extra-Long Staple (ELS) varieties (Giza_(88), Giza_(92) and Giza_(70)) obviously excelled the Long Staple (LS) types (Giza_(86), Giza_(80)and Giza_(90)). This finding is wholly expected since it is well known that the ELS varieties are of higher and better fibre quality characteristics compared with the LS varieties. However, considering all the Egyptian cotton varieties as a whole, it could be stated that Giza_(88) represents the top quality among the Egyptian cottons, whereas Giza_(90) ranks last in this respect.