Morpho-phenetical study of high yielding tossa jute variety BJRI Tossa Pat 7 (MG-1) for bast fibre yield and qualities

Abstract

Background and aim of the studyTossa jute (Corchorus olitorius) is a natural fibre crop produces good quality fiber having great demand for industrial uses. High yielding tossa jute variety is very important in Bangladesh. Materials and methodsBangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI) has developed a new tossa jute variety (BJRI Tossa Pat 7) through pure line selection (PLS) from another pre-released variety named OM-1 during 2017. The new variety was evaluated for fiber yield and attributing phonological traits through comparing with another pre-released variety named BJRI Tossa Pat 5 (O-795) in RCB design at six locations during 2015–2018. ResultsDistinct morphological traits i.e. ovate lanceolate glossy leaves; full green plant were found in MG-1 and stem & stipule red; ovate lanceolate leaves in O-795. MG-1 showed higher fiber yield (3.39–3.40 t ha−1) where, O-795 showed 3.10–3.22 t ha−1 as means of their maximum performances for three years at both farmers' plots and research fields. MG-1 gave higher plant height, base diameter, fiber yield than O-795 at both research stations and farmers’ fields. Even after sowing at 10–15 March, MG-1 gave late flowering; lower leaf size, leaf angle, green leaf biomass and node number; maximum inter-nodal length, bark diameter, bark thickness and fiber bundle cells; and finally golden bright quality fiber than O-795. If both varieties were sown at 2nd to 3rd week of March, and harvested at 110 days old, MG-1 gave 5–7% higher fiber yield than O-795. ConclusionUndoubtedly, MG-1 is a good tossa jute variety for its fiber yield and quality than pre-released varieties. RecommendationMG-1 having good fiber yield would be used for commercial cultivation by the farmers to contribute to the national economy.