JUTE ( Corchorus olitorius & Corchorus capsularis )
Jute can be successfully grown in Coimbatore, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Chengleput and parts of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Tiruchirapalli, Perambalur, Karur, Pudukkottai and Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi districts where assured supply of irrigation water is available for its cultivation and retting for fibre extraction.
Soil type:
Alluvial sandy loam, clay loamy soils are best suited for jute production. Capsularis jute can grow even in standing water especially towards the latter part of its growth. Olitorius jute will not thrive in standing water. The latter is more drought resistant and is therefore grown on lighter soils. Season: February Land Preparation: Fine tilth is required since the seeds are very small.
Manures and fertilizer application:
Five tonnes of well decomposed farm yard manure is to be applied during last ploughing. Besides 20 kg per ha each of N, P2O5 and K2O are to be applied basally. Beds and channels are formed depending on water resources. Varieties: Capsularis JRC 212, JRC 321, JRC 7447 Olitorius JRO 524, JRO 878, JRO 7835
Weed management:
Hand weeding twice on 20 - 25 DAS and 35 - 40 DAS. Fluchloralin can be sprayed at 3 days after sowing at the rate of 1.5 kg per hectare and is followed by irrigation. Further one hand weeding can be taken up at 30 - 35 DAS.
Water Management:
Jute crop requires 500 mm of water. First irrigation is to be given after sowing and life irrigation on fourth day after sowing. Afterwards irrigation can be given once in 15 days.
Harvest:
Jute crop can be harvested from 100 to 110 DAS but can be extended from 120 - 135 DAS depending on local cropping systems. Jute plants are left in the field for 3 - 4 days for leaf shedding. Then thick and thin plants are sorted out and bundled in convenient size. Jute crop requires 500 mm of water. First irrigation is to be given after sowing and life irrigation on fourth day after sowing. Afterwards irrigation can be given once in 15 days.
Yield:
Green plant weight yield is 45 to 50 tonnes per hectare Fibre yield is 2.0 to 2.5 tonnes per hectar
Uses
Jute fibers are primarily used for making products such as rope, twine, burlap, and sacks. It is also used in the construction of carpets, mats, and other flooring materials. Jute is environmentally friendly and is considered a sustainable crop because it requires very little fertilizer and pesticides, and it has a high yield per acre