The major fiber crops are cotton, flax, and hemp, although less important plants, such as ramie, jute, and sisal, are grown in small amounts. With a total annual production of more than 13 million tons, cotton is by far the most important fiber crop in the world. Because humans heavily rely on cotton for clothing and other textiles, it enters the daily lives of more people than any other product except salt.
Cotton
Cotton (Gossypium) fiber has been known and highly valued by people throughout the world for more than three thousand years. The early history of cotton is obscure.
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Flax
Flax is the fiber used to make linen. While some flax is still grown for the purpose of producing this fabric, much of the flax particularly that grown in the United States is used to produce the flaxseed, from which linseed can be extracted.
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Hemp
Hemp, a term used to identify both the plant and the fiber it produces, is used to make the strongest and most durable commercial fibers available. .
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Minor Crops
Ramie is produced primarily in Asia and is used to make strong cloth, such as Chinese linen.
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