Emerging and Remerging Diseases and Their Innovative Management in Jute and Allied Fiber Crops under Small Farm

Abstract

Jute (Corchorus capsularis L. and Corchorus olitorius L.), mesta (Hibiscus cannabinus [kenaf] and Hibiscus sabdariffa [roselle]), sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea L.), ramie (Boehmeria nivea L. Gaud), sisal (Agave sisalana), and flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) are the most important bast fiber-producing commercial/industrial crops in India. Bast fiber is extensively used all over the world for its diversified value-added products like hessians, sacking, gunny bags, carpets, mat, rope, false ceiling boards, and many geotextile products, while the young green leaves of jute are edible and popular as vegetables. Jute ranks second next to cotton among all the natural fiber. Pests increase cost of cultivation for crops by spraying costly chemicals, using machines, etc. Losses in fiber crops (including cotton, jute, mesta, sunhemp, ramie, sisal, flax) are due to insect pests 12.9%, diseases 11.0%, weeds 6.9%, incurring a total loss of 30.8%. Production of jute and allied fiber crops started declining over the years due to incidence and emergence of new pests and diseases under changing climatic scenario. Due to change in climate, minor and sporadic diseases is now becoming more and more severe and causing more damage to the crops. Integrated disease management strategy is a holistic approach for management of diseases under abrupt weather.