Abstract: The invention relates to the method and the apparatus for thermal processing of material containing free or chemically bound carbon, wherein the material is supplied into the reactor and gasifying agent containing oxygen is supplied counter currently with the supply of the material into the reactor, the zones of oxidizing and reduction are formed in the reactor. According to the invention the material is moved through the reactor and at least one flow-through channel is provided in the reactor, and the gasifying agent is supplied into the reactor and the product gas is withdrawn from the reactor by the channel which is arranged in a parallel direction with the movement of the material.

Abstract: A self-defoliating cotton plant is provided, as are its progeny, reproductive material, seeds, cuttings, seedlings, protoplasts, leaves, stems, flowers, and cotton. In particular, a cotton plant is provided that comprises a nucleic acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 or functional fragments of this nucleic acid. The nucleic acid may be activated by chemical treatment and/or irradiation to effect self-defoliation. Self-defoliation advantageously obviates the need to apply defoliants prior to harvesting.