Introduction:

Jute (Corchorus capsularis L and C.olitorius L.) is one of the most important cash crops of eastern India. Exported as goods and as raw fibre. The crop is grown in West Bengal, Assam, Northern Bihar, south-eastern Orissa, Tripura and eastern Uttar Pradesh.The fibre is chiefly used for manufacturing hessian, sacking and carpet backing. Jute is also used for making mats, tarpaulins, ropes and twines. The jute sticks are largely used as fuel and also for making gunpowder, charcoal, as a raw material for coarser paper. Resin-bonded pressed jute sticks make durable hardboard.

Climate and soils:

Jute requires a warm and humid climate, with temperature fluctuation between 24^o C and 37 ^o C, the optimum being around 34 ^o C. Constant rain or water logged conditions are harmful. In the seedling stage, water-logging is not tolerated. Alternate sunshine and rainy days are most conducive to growth.
The new grey alluvial soil of good depth, receiving silt from the annual floods, is best for jute. Widely grown in sandy loams and clay loams, with varying clays are unsuitable. The optimum pH range is around 6.4

Varieties::

Cultivation:

Jute requires a clean, clod-free field with fine tilth. The land is ploughed, cross ploughed, and planked several times. All weeds are thoroughly removed.

Sowing:

Fertilizer :

Acid soils require amendment with 3-7 tonnes of lime in 3 years. Compost or farmyard manure requirement at the rate of 4-7 tonnes per hectare. Phosphorus (P₂O₅) and potash (K₂O) are applied as basal nutrients, whereas nitrogen (N) is top-dressed in two installment- N (40-80 kg per ha for capsularis varieties, 20-60kg per ha for olitorius varieties)- P (half of the quantity of N) and K (quantity equal to N).

Interculturing:

Wedding specially in the early stage, is a must. For a broadcast crop, the pre sowing application of 2,2,3,3 tetrafluorpropionate of sodium proved to be beneficial. Smothering the weeds between rows with a wheel-hoe helps to mulch the soil.

Plant protection:

Pests

Jute semilooper 
The growth of the plants is checked, the late sown crop is more vulnerable; peak incidence occures in July to mid -August
Controls
Spray 0.05% Endosulfan or 0.1% Carbaryl

Jute stem weevil
Grubs attack nodal joints below the leaf base and the side of the leaf base; sometimes internodes, petioles and buds are also attacked 
Control
Remove and destroy stubble alternative host plants and infested plants; spray as for the semi looper above

Hairy caterpillar
The larvae feed gregariously on the leaves and in severe cases completely defoliate the plants.
Control
Dust 5-10% Heptachlor to the early stage of caterpillars.

Disease

Stem rot or dry rot
Roots become brown and discoloured below the bark; brown spots are formed in the collar region on which black dot-like pycnidia appear; the collar rots, the affected plant sheds its leaves and dies. 
Control
Grow resistant varieties: practise crop sanitation; treat seed with Captan @ 6g/kg

Powdery mildew 
White powdery patches appear on the undersurface of the leaves; the corresponding upper portions just above patches become pale and brown
Control
Dust the crop with finely powdered sulphur @ 15 kg per hectare. 

Solerotial disease
A white weft of mycelium is formed near the base of the plant on which white to reddish-tan spherical sclerotia appear.
Control
Practise crop rotation and sertilize the soil. 

Harvesting and Storage:

Jute may be harvested any time between 120 and 150 days. Early harvesting gives finer fibre of good quality. The compromise between quality and quantity is found in harvesting at the early pod stage or around 135 days of cropping. Harvesting is done by cutting the plants at or close to the ground level. In flooded land, plants are uprooted. The harvested plants are left in field for 2-3 days for the leaves to shed. The average is 13 quintals per hectare. 27 quintals in the case of the capsularis varieties. the maximum potential being 40 quintals and 37 quintals respectively.