AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA

DIVISION OF AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES (DAC)

SAMARU COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE (SCA)

DEPARTMENT OF PEST MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY (PMT)

COURSE TITLE:
CROP PRODUCTION

COURSE CODE:
CPT 311

BY:
GROUP M
S/N NAME REG NO.
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TIME PAPER:
DISCUSS JUTE PLANT (Corchorus spp.) ON THE FOLLOWING BASIS:
 ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION
 ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE AND USES OF JUTE
 MORPHOLOGY OF JUTE
 ECOLOGY OF JUTE
 MAINTENANCE PRACTICE OF JUTE
 HARVESTING AND PROCESSING OF JUTE

LECTURER:
DR. D. M JIBRIN

MAY, 2023
 JUTE (Corchorus spp.)
Origin and Distribution:
1. Jute is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent, specifically the region that
includes present-day Bangladesh and India.

2. It has been cultivated in this region for centuries and holds significant economic and cultural
importance.

3. Bangladesh is the largest producer and exporter of jute worldwide. Jute cultivation is
concentrated in the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta region, including districts such as Faridpur,
Jessore, Khulna, and Rajshahi.

4. India is the second-largest producer of jute. Major jute-growing states include West Bengal,
Bihar, Assam, and Odisha.

5. Jute cultivation is found in some parts of China, primarily in the southern provinces of
Guangdong, Guangxi, and Yunnan.

6. Thailand is another country where jute is cultivated, primarily in the central and northeastern
regions.

7. Vietnam has a small jute industry, with cultivation in certain regions such as the Mekong Delta
and the Red River Delta.

8. Jute is also grown in smaller quantities in countries such as Nepal, Brazil, Egypt, Sudan, Ivory
Coast, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Tanzania.

9. Jute cultivation can vary in scale and significance among these countries, with Bangladesh and
India being the major jute-producing nations.

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE AND USES OF JUTE (Corchorus spp.)

 Jute is primarily cultivated for its fibrous stem, which is used to produce jute fiber

 Jute fiber is commonly used in the textile industry for manufacturing a wide range of products
like sacks, bags, and packaging materials and also are commonly used for packaging agricultural
commodities.

 Jute fiber is ideal for making ropes and twines due to its strength and ability to grip well.

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  Jute fiber is also used in the production of geotextiles, which are permeable fabrics used for soil
stabilization, and control of erosion.

 Jute fiber's natural appearance and texture make it popular for creating handicrafts and home
decor items. Products such as rugs, mats, wall hangings, curtains, lampshades, and decorative
baskets are made using jute fibers, adding a touch of natural aesthetics to interior design.

 Jute fiber is used in agricultural and horticultural practices for purposes such as plant support,
nursery root ball wrapping, and protection against pests.

 Jute fibers have been explored for their potential in biofuel production, offering an alternative
energy source.
MORPHOLOGY OF JUTE

 Jute plants are tall, herbaceous annuals that can reach a height of 2 to 4 meters (6.5 to 13 feet) at
maturity, depending on the variety and growing conditions.
 The stem of the jute plant is the primary source of jute fiber. It is slender, cylindrical, and
hollow, with a diameter ranging from 0.5 to 2 centimeters (0.2 to 0.8 inches). The stem is
typically ribbed and has a green color when young, gradually turning brown as it matures.
 Jute plants have long, narrow, and lanceolate leaves that alternate along the stem. The leaves are
typically 10 to 20 centimeters (4 to 8 inches) in length and 2 to 5 centimeters (0.8 to 2 inches) in
width. They have serrated edges and a pointed tip.
 Jute plants produce yellow flowers that are small and clustered. The flowers have five petals and
are typically around 1 to 2 centimeters (0.4 to 0.8 inches) in diameter. Jute plants are known for
their prolific flower production.
 After flowering, jute plants develop fruit capsules that contain seeds. The capsules are elongated
and cylindrical, ranging from 1 to 2 centimeters (0.4 to 0.8 inches) in length. Each capsule
contains numerous small, angular seeds.
 Jute plants have a fibrous root system which help to anchor the plant and absorb water and
nutrients from the soil.


ECOLOGY OF JUTE
1. Jute is primarily cultivated in warm and humid tropical regions. It thrives in areas with fertile,
well-drained soil and an annual rainfall of around 1500-2500 millimeters with temperatures
ranging from 24 to 38oC for optimal growth.

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 2. Jute plants have a preference for loamy or sandy soils that are rich in organic matter because
they provide good drainage and moisture retention, which are important for the growth and
development of jute plants.

3. Jute plants are considered sun-loving and require ample sunlight for proper growth.

4. Jute plants have the ability to form a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (e.g.,
Rhizobium species) present in the soil. These bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form
that is accessible to the jute plant, thereby enhancing its nitrogen nutrition.

5. They absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it into organic compounds.

6. Jute plants have moderate water requirements and can tolerate periodic flooding.

MAINTENANCE PRACTICE OF JUTE

1. Before sowing jute seeds, prepare the soil by plowing or tilling to a fine tilt. Remove weeds,
rocks, and other debris from the field. Jute grows best in well-drained loamy soil with good
organic matter content.

2. Choose high-quality jute seeds from reliable sources, soak the seeds in water overnight before
sowing to enhance germination. Sow the seeds in rows or broadcasting method, ensuring proper
spacing between plants. The recommended seed rate is typically around 10-12 kg per hectare.

3. Adequate irrigation is crucial for jute cultivation. Maintain proper soil moisture throughout the
growing period, especially during the germination and early growth stages. Jute requires regular
and frequent watering, particularly during dry spells.

4. Weeds compete with jute plants for nutrients, water, and sunlight. Regular weeding is essential
to keep the field free from weeds. Manual weeding or the use of appropriate herbicides can be
employed to control weed growth.

5. Well-decomposed farmyard manure or compost can be incorporated into the soil before sowing
to improve soil fertility. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilizers can be applied as
per the recommendation.

6. Monitor the jute crop regularly for any signs of pests and diseases. Appropriate insecticides or
biological control measures can be implemented to manage pest infestations.

7. As jute plants grow taller, they may require staking or support to prevent lodging (bending or
breaking of the stem).

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HARVESTING AND PROCESSING OF JUTE
 Jute plants are usually ready for harvest in about 120 to 150 days after sowing, depending on the
variety and environmental conditions.
 Early harvesting gives good healthy fibers. The plant from 8 to 12 feet high are cut with stickles
at or close to the ground level while in flooded land, jute plants are up rooted.
 Harvesting should be done when the lower leaves turn yellowish and the fibers in the stem
become mature.
 Cut the plants at the base and bundle them for further processing.

Other processing procedures include Water Retting, Chemical Retting, Stripping, Washing, Fiber
Drying, Baling, Spinning, and finally the Finishing process for final use.

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References

Basu, G., A. K. Sinha, and S. N. Chattopadhyay. "Properties of Jute Based Ternary Blended Bulked
Yarns". Man-Made Textiles in India. Vol. 48, no. 9 (Sep. 2005): 350–353. (AN 18605324)

Chattopadhyay, S. N., N. C. Pan, and A. Day. "A Novel Process of Dyeing of Jute Fabric Using
Reactive Dye". Textile Industry of India. Vol. 42, no. 9 (Sep. 2004): 15–22. (AN 17093709)

Doraiswamy, I., A. Basu, and K. P. Chellamani. "Development of Fine Quality Jute Fibers". Colourage.
Nov. 6–8, 1998, 2p. (AN TDH0624047199903296)

Kozlowski, R., and S. Manys. "Green Fibers". The Textile Institute. Textile Industry: Winning
Strategies for the New Millennium—Papers Presented at the World Conference. Feb. 10–13,
1999: 29 (13p). (AN TDH0646343200106392)

Madhu, T. "Bio-Composites—An Overview". Textile Magazine. Vol. 43, no. 8 (Jun. 2002): 49 (2 pp).
(AN TDH0656367200206816)

Maulik, S. R. "Chemical Modification of Jute". Asian Textile Journal. Vol. 10, no. 7 (Jul. 2001): 99 (8

pp). (AN TDH0648424200108473).