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Popular Kheti
Volume -2, Issue-3 (July-September), 2014
Available online at www.popularkheti.info
2014 popularkheti.info
ISSN: 2321-0001

Technologies for Sustainable Jute Fibre Production

Mukesh Kumar*, A. Bera, B. S. Gotyal, M. Ramesh Naik and Shailesh Kumar
Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres, Barrackpore, Kolkata 700120
*Email of corresponding author: mukesh.agro@gmail.com

The increasing demand of jute fibre and its value added products around the world can
only be met by increasing the productivity. The agronomic practices from selection of
suitable varieties, integrated nutrient management, integrated weed management, water
management up to integrated pest management increases the input use efficiency and
jute fibre production in sustainable manner. Besides, suitable intercropping and
improved retting process increases the profit from jute farming. Therefore, adoptions of
these technologies will fulfill the demand of jute fibre, increase the income of jute
farmers and also keep the environment safe.
Introduction
Jute (Corchorus olitoruis and C. capularis) is mostly grown by small and marginal farmers of
eastern India mainly West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Assam and Uttar Pradesh in about 0.8 mha
area. Although, jute area occupies only 0.44% of total cultivated area, it involves four million
farm families and generates employment to the tune of 10 million mandays. In 1970,
development of pre-mature flowering resistance varieties of jute having crop duration of 120
days enabled the crop to fit into traditional rice-rice cropping system in summer (pre-kharif)
season crop and it became an integral part of farming life of eastern India. The entire life-cycle
of jute from cultivation to usage and disposal, it is environmental friendly and produces no toxic
material. Hence, the demand of jute (Hessian, Sacking, Yarn etc.) and its diversified products
(JDPS) for blending of jute with other natural or man-made fibres for furnishing, interior
decoration, garments, dress materials, geotextiles, agro-textiles, handicrafts, soft luggage etc. has
increased tremendously because of environmental consciousness around the world and in 201213, total export of jute and JDPS of Rs.1598 crores. To fulfill the increasing demand of jute, it is
inevitable to increase the productivity of jute fibre in sustainable manner as the area under jute is
remains constant since last 30 years. However, the jute productivity has increased from 11.4
q/hain 1947 to 24 q/ha in 2012-13. But the difference between realizable potential and current
fibre yield is still about 6-11 q/ha. This yield gap can be narrowed down through adoption of
improved production technologies. Those agronomic practices, which are cost effective,
ecofriendly and energy efficient should be practiced for sustaining the jute fibre production

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system and environment and thereby society. A brief technologies for getting higher productivity
are being describes as follow
1. Improved varieties and time of sowing: A number of jute varieties of both Olitorius and
Capsularis has been developed which are having yield potential of 30-35 q fibre/ha within 120
days of crop duration. The sowing time for jute starts from mid-March to April and it depends
upon land situation (low land or upland), previous crops in field, irrigation facilities and farmers
choices. Farmers generally want to sow the crop in
first to second week of March after harvesting of rabi
season crops like potato, garden pea, mustard etc., so
that field can be vacated early for sowing of
succeeding long duration rice crop. The premature
flowering in Olitorius jute is a major problem in early
sown crop which reduces the fibre yield drastically by
inducing lateral branches which is undesirable for
fibre production. However, some premature flowering
resistance varieties have been developed to sow the
crop in mid-March. Therefore, the suitable varieties
according to sowing time must be selected for getting higher fibre productivity (Table 1).
Table 1: Sowing time and improved variety of jute
Suitable varieties
C. Olitorius
Early sowing:
JRO 204 (Suren), JRO-524 (Navin)
Crop sown from mid-March JRO 2407 (Samapti), AAOJ 1 (Tarun)
to First week of April
Normal sowing:
JRO204 (Suren), JRO-524 (Navin),
rd
th
3 -4 week of April
JRO 8432( Shakti), JRO 128 (Surya),
JBO 2003 H (Ira) S 19 (Subala) AAOJ
1 (Tarun)
Late sowing: Last week JRO-524 (Navin), JRO 8432 (Shakti),
April first week May
JRO 128 (Surya), JRO 66 (Golden
jublee tossa), JRO 632 (BaisakiTosa),

Sowing time

C. Capsularis
JRC 212 (Sabuj
Sona),
JRC
321(Sonali),
JRC 80 (Mitali),
JRC 212 (Sabuj
Sona), JRC 321
(Sonali), JRC 80
(Mitali), JRC 698
(Shrabanti), JRC
4444
(Baldev),
JRC 517, JRC 532

2. Seed source and seed treatment: Certified seeds with proper germination percentage (8090%) should be collected from NSC centers, Agricultural Development Office (minikits) and
other authorized seed distributors of jute. Bolder seeds should be preferred by screening for
getting healthy plant. Before sowing, 100 jute seeds should be kept in wet blotting paper/ cotton
cloth in a bowl for 24 -36 hours. If 80-90 % seed germinated it should be selected for sowing.
The selected seeds should be treated with carbendazim/ bavistin@ 2.0 g/kg seed to prevent the
seedling from any seed borne and other type of diseases.
3. Land preparation: The land should preferably be well drained and having high organic
matter content. The field should be ploughed for 2 to 3 times to get fine tilth and properly leveled
using ladder as available. A field ditch (20 cm 30 cm) should be made and connected to a safe
outlet to provide drainage to avoid early waterlogging stress.
4. Sowing method and seed rate: Broadcasting is the most prevalent method of sowing of jute.
Treated seeds @ 5-6 kg/ha should be broadcasted in prepared jute field criss- cross wise (East to

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West or vice versa followed by North to South or vice-versa) for uniform seed distribution and
desirable plant stand. After sowing, planking should be done to cover the jute seeds. Although,
the prevalent method is broadcasting but line sowing of jute should be done as it has following
advantages
Facilitates germination by keeping the seeds at proper depth.
Helps in intercultural operation.
Reduces labour requirement for thinning and weeding operation.
Produced uniform jute plant of desired girth and
Increases net return over broadcasting method and
Reduces seed requirement from 5-6 kg/ha to 3 kg/ha.
Therefore, jute seeds should be sown using CRIJAF 4-row seed drill with optimum spacing of
25cm 5-7cm and it requires seed rate of only 3 kg/ha. A post sowing irrigation should be given
to assure proper germination and plant stand if necessary.
5. Intercultural operation: Optimum plant population is pre-requisite for proper growth and
development and getting higher fibre yield for both broadcasted and line sown jute. The
optimum plant population for jute should be 4.5 to 5.0 lakhs/ha (45-50 plant/m2), hence, thinning
is very much needed and first thinning should be done within 15 to 21 DAS and second at 35
DAS. Line sowing by CRIJAF seed drill eliminates thinning.
6. Fertilizer and manures application: Jute is very much responsive to organic fertilizers.
Therefore, application of FYM @ 10 t/ha before sowing is not only maximize the yield but also
improves the soil quality. Inorganic fertilizers should be applied according to the fertility status
of the soils for getting higher fertilizer use efficiency and getting higher fibre yield.
Recommended doses of fertilizers according to fertility levels of soil for jute are given in Table
2. The total P2O5 and K2O should be applied as basal and N should be split in three doses (1/3rd
at basal 1/3 at 15 DAS after first thinning 1/3rd after 2nd thinning at 35-40 DAS)under irrigated
condition and two doses ( at basal and at after thinning whenever sufficient moisture in field)
under rainfed condition.
Table 2. Recommended doses of nutrients according to fertility level of soil
N (kg/ha)
P2O5
K2O
Soil status
(kg/ha)
(kg/ha)
Low fertility
80
40
40
Medium fertility
50-60
30
30
High fertility
40-50
20
20
7. Integrated Weed management: Weeds are one of the major constraints to achieve the
sustainable fibre yield. It can reduce the fibre yield up to 80 % and incurred about 40% of total
cost of cultivation in conventional manual weeding. There are several methods viz. cultural,
mechanical, chemical for weed control in jute but the integration of either two or more than two
methods of weed control is eco-friendly as well as economical. Integrated weed management is
integration of cultural, mechanical, chemical and all other available technologies in compatible
and effective manner to control the weeds by the most economical means, while posing the least
possible risk to the human being and environment (Figure 1). Using different appropriate
management practices in combination, farmers have more viable options for effective weed
control in jute. It reduces the possibility of escapes, weed adaptation and development of
resistance to any single herbicide or weed control methods. Intercropping with red amaranth
(Amaranthes tricolor cv. Jabakusum) and summer radish (Raphanussativus) and summer mung

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of crop duration 60 days (pant mung 5) with pre-emegence application of butachlor @10 lite/ha
killed the annual weed and suppress the perennial weed like Cyperus rotundus population by 5060%. Beside it gives additional revenue from intercrop to small and marginal farmers.
Integration of chemical like butachlor50 EC @ 1.0 to 1.5 litre/ha or pretilachlor 50 EC 1.0
litre/ha as pre-emergence or quizalofop- ethyl @5% EC @ 60 g a.i. /ha as post- emergence
herbicides at 15-20 DAS with one mechanical/ manual weeding at 30 to 35 DAS has been found
much effective in controlling weeds in jute. Perennial weeds like Cyperus rotundus can also be
effectively be controlled by integration of tillage and sowing method in jute i.e. land preparation
by rotavator followed by ridge and furrow making by cultivator which helps in easy uprooting
the Cyperus tubers. These tubers remain embedded shallow on the ridges which are easily pulled
out manually while germinating at 8-10 DAS.

Figure 1: Systemic diagram of integrated weed management

8. Water management: About 80 % of jute grown area is rainfed. The water requirement for
proper growth and development of jute is about 50-64 cm and if normal pre-monsoon rainfall
prevails then no need to irrigate the crop. But, now a day due very erratic behaviour of rainfall in
pre-monsoon season in eastern India reduced the fibre production. The jute crop is very sensitive
to water stress and water logging in the early growth stages. Hence, for better growth to get
maximum yield proper irrigation as well as drainage facility should be made. The jute field
should be connected with a safe out let through a field ditch (30-40 cm depth and 20 cm wide) to
remove excess water from jute field. One pre-sowing irrigation and two additional irrigations at
hair cracking stage are sufficient for better growth and fibre yield. Under water stress/drought
condition application of elemental sulphur @ 30 kg/ha in jute soil (<20 kg/ha available sulphur)
along with N: P: K:: 60:30:30 was produced 33-35 q/ha of jute against 25-27 q/ha in rainfed
condition. Jute sowing (seed @ 8 kg/ha) on open furrow (4 cm depth, developed by nine tyne
cultivator) along with 1.5 to 2 t/ha rice straw mulch on seeded furrows weighed by soil clods
produce is also one of the better option under drought as it produce 32 q jute fibre/ha . One life
saving irrigation followed by soil mulching (at field capacity) by CRIJAF nail weeder along
produced 3-4 q/ha higher fibre compared to traditional rainfed sowing of crop.
9. Jute based cropping system: To get maximum benefit per unit area per unit time suitable
mixed and/orintercropping for jute should be adopted. Mixed cropping of jute and red amaranth
produced 40 to 64 q red amaranth (var.-jabakusum) at 21 to 40 days of sowing along with 35 to
37 q fibre/ha, besides it suppressed the weed growth by more than 50 percent. Under rainfed late
sown condition in alluvial soil jute (JRO-524) crop mixed with radish (Chinese white) produced
jute fibre yield more than 40 q/ha and radish yield 27 to 36 q/ha. Intercropping of green gram
(Pant mung 5, RMG 62) in jute spacing 35 cm recorded jute equivalent yield up to 49 q/ha (10 q

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pulse grain and fibre yield ranged 24-26 q/ha) and 2 tonnes pulse waste/ha, whereas 28 q/ha in
sole jute. Besides, this system suppressed Cyperus rotundusupto56 % by smothering effect.
10. Plant protection measures: Themajor insects pest of jute are Bihar hairy caterpillar, cut
worm, yellow-mite, stem weevil, semilooper and mealybug. Cultural practices like optimal date
of sowing, proper weed management, plucking of infested leaves should be followed before
spraying of insecticides. Insecticides should be sprayed when the infestation crosses the
economic threshold level (ETL). Insecticides such as fenvalerate (0.02%), or
cypermethrin(0.03%) or carbaryl (0.1%) are quite effective in managing the semilooper.
Cypermethrin(0.03%),carbofuran (1kg a.i. /ha) and profenophos 50 EC (0.10%) are used to
control the stem weevil and Bihar hairy caterpillar. The mealybugcan also be effectively
managed by spraying profenophos 50 EC (0.10%) during the early stage of the crawlers.
Application of dicofol (0.04%), fenazaquin (0.02%) and abamectin 1.8 EC (0.0015%) were
proved to be effective in managing the yellow mite. The name of insecticides with their
recommended doses given in Table 3.
Table 3. Insecticides for controlling insect pests in jute
Insecticides

Dose (ml/litre)

Trade name

Dimethoate30 EC

Rogor

Quinalphos25 EC

Ekalux

Profenophos50 EC

Curacron

Triazophos40 EC

2.5

Hostathion

Cypermethrin25 EC

1.2

Cymbush

Fenvalerate20 EC

Sumidon /Tatafen

Emamectin benzoate5 SG

0.5

Missile Proclaim (100g/ac)

Dicofol 18 EC

Kelthane

Acephate75 SP

1-2g/litre

Starthene

Abamectin 1.9 % EC

0.5 ml

Vartimek

Fenpyroximate 5 % SC

1.5 ml

Sedna

Stem rot is the most important fungal disease of jute caused by Macrophomina phaseolina.
Anthracnose is of regular occurrence especially in Capsularisjute growing belt. Minor diseases
reported in jute fields are black band, soft rot and Hoogly wilt. Jute mosaic, chlorosis and yellow
vein mosaic are the viral diseases reported to occur in jute. Adoption of cultural practices like
appropriate crop rotation, deep ploughing, clean cultivation, use of healthy seeds, seed treatment,
line sowing, optimum spacing, timely weeding and application of soil ameliorants (lime or
gypsum 2-4 t/ha if the soil pH is above 5.8) can control occurrence of diseases. Spraying of
carbendazim @ 2g/l of water or copper oxychloride @ 4g/ l of water and mancozeb @ 5g/l of
water is recommended for disease management in jute.

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11. Harvesting and Retting

Harvesting is done in July-August at any time before flowering between 120 and 150 days after
sowing. The plants are cut at the base very close to the ground with the sickle. Harvested plants
are to be kept in the field in 2-3 days to desiccate the foliage to enhance the soil fertility through
defoliation of leaves which content 2-2.5 % N. 0.5-1.0 % P and 1.5-2.5 % K.
Retting: the processs of separation and extraction of fibersfrom non-fibrous tissues and woody
part of the stem through dissolution and decomposition of pectins, gums and other mucilaginous
substances is called retting. The whole plants are preferably retted in slow moving clean water.
In conventional methods, retting is completed between 21 25 days depending upon the climatic
condition and fibre is extracted from the woody part of the stem. The fibre recovery in jute varies
from 6-7% of the green biomass. The quality of jute fibre (strength, fineness and colour) depends
upon proper retting which is influence by different factors like age of plant, fertilizer dose,
quality of retting water etc. the lack of proper slow moving water farmers prefer to ret their
plants in stagnant water like pond, ditches without proper care which lead to reduces the fibre
quality by brownish colour of fibre (shymala) and do not get good price in the market.
Improved retting technology: In improved retting technology, use of retting powder CRIJAF
Sonacontains efficient retting microorganisms properly applied on jute bundle and immersed in
water with putting weight bag filled with cement sand rocks etc. improves the retting processes.
This technique reduces retting time from 21 days to 12-16 days and enhance the fibre quality
from at least 2 grades from TD6 to TD4.

Jute fibre obtained after improved retting

Jute fibre obtained after conventional retting

Conclusion
To fulfill the increasing demand of natural fibre over the globe we need to enhance the fibre
production in sustainable manner as its area remains the same for last two decades. The adoption
of improved agronomic practices from selection of improved varieties to nutrient management,
integrated weed management, drought management and insect and disease management and
improve retting/processing techniques increases the jute fibre productivity in sustainable manner.
Besides, the practice of intercropping of mung in jute increases the profit from jute farming and
it also helps in maintain the soil fertility. Adoption of improved retting technique enhances the
production of quality jute fibre thereby farmers get higher price in market and it also help in
enhancing the export of quality jute fibre.

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