Jute Production Guide: A Step-By-Step Cultivation Practices

Jute is a significant natural fiber crop in India after cotton. It is commonly known as raw jute when combined with mesta. Raw jute has become versatile in various industries such as packaging, textile, paper, building, and automotive. It also has uses as a soil saver and decorative and furnishing material. As an annually renewable and biodegradable source, raw jute helps maintain environmental and ecological balance, making it an eco-friendly crop crucial to the country’s economy.

Jute Production Guide

Best Package and Practices of High-Production Jute

To achieve high-production jute, following certain packaging and practices is essential. These include selecting high-quality jute seeds, preparing fertile soil with proper nutrients and moisture, using appropriate fertilizers and pesticides, timely irrigation, controlling weeds, and disease prevention.

Land/ Field Preparation and Soil Requirements for Jute

Jute is commonly grown in sandy and clay soils, with varying soil management practices. Unsuitable soil types include heavy clay and sandy soils. A low pH level in the soil can result in poor crop growth, with the optimum pH being around 6.4. High and medium-high land that doesn’t experience standing water from rain or flooding is suitable for jute cultivation.

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To prepare the land, it is necessary to plow the soil deeply and cross plow 5-6 times, followed by laddering to create a fine tilth condition with no clods. The ideal soil moisture level for germination is between 21-45%. Either species does not tolerate water logging during the seedling stage.

Temperature, Climatic, and Rainfall Requirements for Jute

Jute thrives in a warm and humid climate, with temperatures ranging from 24°C to 37°C. The ideal relative humidity range for growth is between 70% to 90%. Adequate rainfall is crucial for jute growth, with a range of 250-270mm necessary for good yield and growth.

Propagation Method and Seed Quality for Jute

The most common method of jute propagation is by seed. The seeds should be collected from healthy plants and stored in a cool and dry place. Seeds with a high germination rate and uniform size should be selected for planting.

Seed Treatment for Jute

Treating jute seeds with Vitavax-200 (0.4%) or Provax-200 (0.4%) before sowing or preservation can help control fungal seed-borne diseases. This involves using 4 grams of Vitavax-200 per 1 kilogram of seeds.

Seed Rate and Spacing for Jute

The land is prepared thoroughly for line sowing of jute, and a seed drill is used for mechanical sowing. Capsularis is sown with 30 cm row-to-row spacing, Olitorius with 25 cm spacing, and a plant-to-plant spacing of 5 to 7 cm is maintained. Seeds are sown at a depth of 2.5 to 3 cm. This method ensures uniform plant growth and optimal utilization of the land space, leading to higher yields.

Sowing Method for Jute

The traditional method of sowing jute involves broadcasting the seeds. They are mixed with loose soil to ensure the even distribution of the small seeds. For better results, it is recommended to broadcast the seeds cross-wise. However, line sowing is also a commonly used method for planting jute, which can result in better plant growth and higher yields.

Crop Rotation and Intercropping in Jute

Jute is a versatile crop that can be incorporated into different crop rotations due to its flexible harvesting duration. Its leaves also enhance soil fertility. Examples of crop rotations that include jute are jute-paddy-potato, jute-paddy-gram, jute-paddy-mustard, and jute-paddy-wheat. Jute can also be intercropped with moong in multiple cropping systems, including jute-paddy-potato.

Manure & Fertilizer Applications in Jute

Different fertilizers are recommended for both C. capsularis and C. olitorius varieties for the cultivation of jute crops. The recommended fertilizer application includes 80-100 kg/ha of urea, 40-50 kg/ha of TSP, 60-80 kg/ha of MoP, and 22-40 kg/ha of MgSO4 for C. capsularis, while for C. olitorius, the recommended amount is 20-60 kg/ha of urea, 15-30 kg/ha of TSP, 22-50 kg/ha of MoP, and 22-40 kg/ha of MgSO4.

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Half of the recommended amount of urea, total TSP, MoP, and MgSO4 should be applied during final land preparation, while the other half should be applied 42-50 days after sowing when the plant height is 10-12 cm.

Weed Management and Herbicide Application in Jute

Weeding is an essential agricultural practice that can significantly enhance crop yield by preserving moisture, crop nutrients, air, and light required for plant growth. Intercultural operations such as mulching, thinning, and hoeing are necessary to achieve efficient weeding.

The recommended weeding schedule for crops involves the first weeding, mulching, and simultaneous thinning after 10-15 days of sowing, followed by the second weeding, mulching, and simultaneous thinning after 25-30 days. Finally, the third weeding, mulching, and simultaneous final thinning should be conducted after 40-50 days, followed by top-dressing with urea fertilizer and hoeing to ensure maximum crop productivity.

Water Management in Jute

Jute is a rain-fed crop that does not require irrigation during the rainy season. However, light irrigation may be necessary if the moisture content is insufficient for proper germination. Once the plants are 10-12 cm tall with 3-4 leaves, irrigation should be applied as needed, avoiding overwatering to prevent soil compaction and root damage.

Disease Control in Jute

Jute is susceptible to various diseases, including seedling blight, damping off, collar rot, stem rot, and root rot. Seed treatment with Carbendazim @ 2 g/kg, Mancozeb @ 5 g/kg, or T. viridi @ 10 g/kg is recommended to prevent disease during planting. In established crops, spraying with Carbedazim 0.2% or Copper oxychloride 0.75% can be effective against the disease. For specific diseases like Foot Rot, Collar Rot, and Stem Rot, seed treatment with Carbendazim @ 2 g/kg or Mancozeb @ 3 g/kg or soil drenching with Copper oxychloride @ five g/l of water is recommended.

Pest Control in Jute

Jute is prone to various pests such as Semilooper, Stem Weevil, Yellow Mite, Bihar Hairy caterpillar, Jassids, Mealy bug, and Spiral borer. To control these pests, spraying with Endosulfan @ two ml/l or Chlorpyriphos @ one ml/l twice is recommended. Alternatively, use Cypermethrin 25% EC @ 1-1.2 ml/lit and Fenvalerate 20% EC @1 ml/lit. Spraying with Neem oil is also effective for Jassids, Mealybugs, Semilooper, and Spiral borers. Proper pest control can help maintain the jute crop’s health and yield.

Harvesting and Threshing of Jute

The stage of harvest determines the quality of jute fiber. Early harvesting produces finer fiber, while late harvesting gives a large yield but coarser fiber. Harvesting is usually done a few days before flowering, around 110-120 days after sowing. The plant is cut close to the ground level with a sickle and graded by size. After grading, the bundle is left in the field for 2-3 days to allow the leaves to shed before retting. To prevent discoloration of the fiber, it’s important to remove the leaves during retting.

Jute Yield per Acre

The average yield of a jute crop is around 13 quintals/ha, while the maximum yield can be up to 40 Quintals/ha.

Conclusion

Jute cultivation requires proper land preparation, timely sowing, application of fertilizers, efficient weeding and intercultural operations, and pest and disease management. Harvesting should be carried out at the right stage for better fiber quality. With proper cultivation practices, jute production can be optimized for maximum yield.

Jute Production Guide: A Step-By-Step Cultivation Practices