Jute Crop Research Articles

Investigation on the Natural Enemies of Jute Yellow Mite and Their Performances and Seasonal Incidence

The jute yellow mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus constitutes one of the major pests of jute crop in Bangladesh. The objective of this work was to investigation on the natural enemies of jute yellow mite. The investigation on the natural enemies of jute yellow mite were studied in the laboratory of Bangladesh Jute Research Institute during March 2011 to September 2013. As many as six predators of jute yellow mite viz, Predatory mite, Thrips, Minute pirate bug, Lady bird beetle, Mirid bug and Spider were collected and identified. The predation rate of the predatory mite Amblyseius sp. showed an average of 8.8 jute yellow mite per hour in laboratory condition. Predatory mite reached the peak on the 20th June. The highest population was 25 predatory mite/25 leaves. The population of predatory mite declined sharply in the 1st week of July. The nymph and adult of Scolothrips consumed an average of 15.4 and 20.10 yellow mite per hour. Scolothrips sp reached its peak population on 30th June and declined occurred in the 1st week of July. Both nymph and adult stage of Orius sp. predate 24.5 and 21 jute yellow mite respectively. The highest number of Minute pirate bug 20 was recorded at 30th June. Both the grubs and adults of lady bird beetle predate on all the stage of yellow mite. Grub was found as voracious feeder showing a predation efficiency of 35 per hour. The highest and lowest number of Ladybird beetle was recorded on 25th June and 5th May respectively. The highest 15 Mirid bug was recorded at 30th June. An unidentified species of spider was found to consume yellow mite.

Analyses of Genetic Variability, Character Association, Heritability and Genetic Advance of Tossa Jute (<i>Corchorus olitorius</i>) Genotypes for Morphology & Stem Anatomy

Background and aims: Investigation was carried out to estimate the variability, heritability, genetic advance for fiber yield based on yield attributing morpho-anatomical traits of tossa jute in field and laboratory. Materials & Methods: The experiments were carried out using 12 tossa jute genotypes followed by randomized complete block design in five jute research regions (Rangpur, Faridpur, Jessore, Manikganj districts and Bangladesh Jute Research Institute head office, Dhaka) of Bangladesh during 2019-20. Hypothesis: The tested genotypes were expected to perform better for fiber yield than control varieties. Results: The jute genotypes i.e. Acc. 1318, Acc. 1306, (JRO S1), O-412-9-4, O-0512-6-2 providing good results for plant height, base diameter, green weight and dry fiber yield in morphological study; and total trapezoidal area per transverse section, number of trapezoid per T. section, bark diameter, bark thickness in anatomical study depicting the more variability as well as possibility of tossa jute development. These morphological and anatomical traits showing significant association with one another, and coupled with high genetic and phenotypic variance-covariance components; high heritability; high & moderate genetic advance and genetic advance in percent of mean would be used for selection of jute genotypes regarding the jute crop improvement for fiber yield. Conclusions: The high variation for morphological and anatomical characters may be considered as effective method for screening of jute genotypes for higher fiber yield comparing with control varieties. The genotypes i.e. Acc. 1318, Acc. 1306, (JRO S1), O-412-9-4, O-0512-6-2 with good morphological and anatomical traits related to yield could be used as parents in breeding program as well as jute variety development.

Field screening of common jute (Corchorus olitorius) varieties against major pests in Eastern Terai region of Nepal

Field screening of eleven most popular jute varieties belonging to Corchorus olitorius species was done against the major pests in the farm of Jute Research Programm, Itahari, Sunsari, Nepal during 2017 and 2018. Different species of pests belonging to insects, mites and nematodes were found feeding on jute. Among them, jute Semilooper (Anomis sabulifera Guen.), Bihar hairy caterpillar (Spilarctia obliqua Wlk.), yellow mite (Polyphagotarson emuslatus Banks), are causing economic damage to the jute crop. Eleven jute varieties were selected to conduct varietal preference and tested against major pest of jute in field condition. Among the eleven varieties JRO-524 was found to be moderately resistant against the Semilooper (A. sabulifera) and Bihar hairy caterpillar (S. oblique) but least susceptible to yellow mites. Likewise, the variety KEN-DS-058, KEN-DS-066, BJRI-1965 and BJRI-1968 showed highly susceptible to major pest Semilooper (A. sabulifera), Bihar hairy caterpillar (S. oblique) and yellow mites. The variety BRD-SRB-061, YA-41, O-4, KEN-BL-130, Itahari-2 showed moderate resistance to Semilooper (A. sabulifera), Bihar hairy caterpillar (S. oblique) but moderately susceptible to yellow mites. Further, the fibre production capacity of the varieties under different pest’s pressure was found relatively higher in variety JRO-524 followed by YA-41, BRD-SRB-061, KEN-BL-130 and O-4 respectively. The relatively higher yield recorded under varying pest levels over two consecutive seasons is an indicative of greater field tolerance of olitorius jute varieties.

Biological control of key pest of jute, Spilosoma obliqua Walker (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) -A case study

Surveys were conducted in intensive jute growing areas of West Bengal to collect information on natural enemies and other entomopathogens infecting jute hairy caterpillar Spilosoma obliqua (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae). The jute crop supports large number natural enemies of S. obliqua and entomopathogens. Among the braconid larval parasitoids, Meteorus spilosomae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Protapantales obliquae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) were the key mortality factors. The activity of these parasitoids was noticed from mid- May to mid-July during the cropping season. The parasitoid, P. obliquae is a gregarious, endoparasitoid specific to S. obliqua and parasitize to the extent of 38% up to third instar of larvae whereas M. spilosomae reported to cause up to 77% of parasitisation on S. obliqua under field condition. Bacillus thuringiensis and nuclear polyhedrosis virus were found be very effective with mortality of, 64 and 93% respectively. These parasitoids and pathogens can be used as potential bio-control agents against jute hairy caterpillar through conservation, augmentation and mass multiplication.

Laboratory and field performance of manual seed drill for sowing jute and tiny seeds

Jute (Corchorus olitorius) is one of the bast fibre producing cash crops in the world and it is the second most important textile fibre next to cotton. Jute plays a significant role in livelihood of the resource poor small and marginal farmers in India. Jute farmers generally follow broadcast method of jute sowing where the placement of seeds at proper soil depth and uniformity cannot be attained. It becomes extremely difficult to place correct quantity of tiny seeds manually at desired depth of soil for optimum plant population due to small size of seeds. On the other hand,line sowing of small seeds like jute, mustard, sesame etc. is very much desirable to save seed as well as maintaining plant population, reduce cost of sowing, weeding and thinning. Therefore, a simple manually drawn multi-row seed drill for jute as well as small seeds of other crops was developed and evaluated in laboratory and field conditions. It ensures uniform germination and proper crop stand on one hand and facilitates other post sowing operations like weeding and thinning, fertilizer application, plant protection measure, irrigation and harvesting of jute crop on the other hand. The developed seed drill required only 75.16 N of draft for its operation which is within the capacity of an average man. It was found that the time required in line sowing for jute is only 6 man-hours/ha which is same as compared to traditional method of sowing.

An Updated Dose Assessment for Late Jute Seed Production

Jute seed scarcity in Bangladesh is a major problem for jute growers as jute and allied fibres are the most economic product for the country. Seed is a critical input for jute crop as it is not possible to get both the seed and fibre from the same crop. Organized late jute seed production is lacking in the whole country of Bangladesh. Therefore, updating seed production potential of jute was tested under Jute experimental station of Bangladesh Jute Research Institute. Following the strategy, additional nutrient response to O-9897 and O-72 (Chorcorus olitorius L.) in late jute seed production was assessed in Jute Agriculture Experimental Station (JAES), Manikganj, Bangladesh during the late Jute season. A highly significant effect was observed for plant height, number of branches/plant, number of pods/plant, number of seeds/pod and seed yield with the application of increasing doses of NPK fertilizer. Significantly high seed yields were found with the application of additional 25% NP or 25% NPK with existing recommended doses of fertilizer for late jute seed production for the varieties.

A Nutrient Combination That Can Affect Yield of Olitorius Jute

Mineral fertilizer use is expanding in Jute growing countries to satisfy fiber demands. Fertilizer consumers are being asked to improve fertilizer use efficiency through better management in their fields to provide a healthy economy. Following the thought a field experiment was established to determine the influence of mineral fertilizer (NPKS) on growth and yield of the advanced C. olitorious breeding line of O-043-7-9. We selected three different locations under Bangladesh Jute Research Institute to examine jute crop response to optimum fertilizer combination and the yield variability by 10 different nutrient combinations. Because of the essentiality of N, P, K, and S fertilizer combination on Jute fibre production and their effects on its growth were studied. The lower levels of N, P, K and S were zero applications in specific treatments. N, P, K and S were positively correlated with yield level. Over time, the simple effect of N exhibited an increased positive trend only when applied limited to 100kg/ha, while simple effects of P and K increased sharply at the rate 10 and 30 kg/ha respectively. The zero fertilizer treatment yielded decline for each mineral in specific treatment in the trial. Fertilizer N, P, K and S were utilized more efficiently in fully balanced combination. After the findings from three different locations for growth, yield and agronomic characteristics, we can draw the conclusion that the combination dose of N100 P10 K30 S15 Kg/ha may need to be applied for breeding line O-043-7-9 cultivation in Bangladesh.

Stability assessment of jute seed production system in lower Gangetic plains of India

Seed is a critical input for jute crop as it is not feasible to get both the seed and fibre from the same crop. Seed scarcity is a major problem for jute growers as bast fibres are the economic product. Organized jute seed production is lacking in the lower Gangetic plains zone of India, although being a major fibre growing region. Therefore, seed production potential of jute was tested under this agro-climatic zone. Ten jute varieties representing two cultivated species viz., C. capsularis and C. olitorius were evaluated for five years. This paper compares the traditional models i.e., Linear regression model with the latest GGE Biplot methodology, displaying both Genotype (G) and Genotype × Environment (GE), which are the two sources of variation that are relevant to varietal evaluation. Pooled analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant environmental effect. General mean seed yield of 7.40 qha−1 was recorded. Two environments and five varieties recorded positive index. Four varieties S–19, JRO–8432, JRO–524 and JRC–517 were grouped as adapted to high performance environments. Five varieties namely JBO–2003H, JRC–698, JRO–204, JRO–8432 and S–19 were grouped as highly-stable. The variety JRO–524 was grouped as least-stable for seed yield. The varieties S- 19 and JRO- 8432 were suitable over all environments and hence, can be recommended for - for seed production .

Performance evaluation of manual operated single wheel weeder for jute crop

Performance evaluation of manual operated single wheel weeder for jute crop

The potential of jute crop for mitigation of greenhouse gas emission in the changing climatic scenario

The potential of jute crop for mitigation of greenhouse gas emission in the changing climatic scenario

Changing cropping pattern and its impact on agricultural income of West Bengal: A district level study

The decision of a farmer in choosing cropping pattern depends on net return or agricultural income per hecter. Main indicate of economic development is per capita income or per capita agricultural income. In this paper we observed the positive relationship between agricultural income pre hecter and crop-diversification index. In West Bengal area under rice, wheat, cereals, sugarcane, potato and fruits and vegetables and oilseeds are increased where as area under pulses, Barley, Mesta and Jute crops are decreased from 1980–81 to 2013–14. There has been remarkable change in rice cultivation. About 13% of gross cropped area are decreased in rice cultivation from 1980–81 to 2013–14. The trends are also dominated by fruits and vegetables. From the analysis of changes in the cropping pattern of Paschim Medinipur for the periods 1970–71 to 2013–14 it could be seen that the proportion of area under total cereals to total cropped area decreased from 86.89 per cent in 1965–66 to 72.69 per cent in 2013–14. The change from subsistence cropping to commercial cropping was noticed in the area shift between just after 1965–66 and 2013–14. Cropping pattern changed in blocks of Paschim Medinipur in favor of non-foodgrains during the period from 1995–96 to 2012–13. Crop-diversification directly or indirectly increased production of crop per hecter or agricultural income per hecter. We observed that there exists a positive relationship between Agricultural Income per Hecter and Diversification index. The positive relationship is statistically significant. It is clear that significant increase in the agricultural income per hecter with diversification index. Side by side, we observed that nearly positive relationship between Compound Annual Growth Rate of Agricultural Income per hecter and Compound Annual Growth Rate of Diversification Index

Bioefficacy of plant extracts on stem rot, Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid and Bihar hairy caterpillar, Spilosoma obliqua Walker in jute crop

In vitro study was conducted to test mycellial growth inhibition effect of plant extracts on Macrophomina phaseolina causing stem rot of jute as well as for feeding inhibition and mortality on 3rd instar larvae of Bihar hairy caterpillar, Spilosoma obliqua Walker. The result revealed, at 2000 ppm, acetone extracts of sunnhemp and Azeratum conyzoides exhibited maximum of 34.44% and 41.85% mycellial growth inhibition respectively. Whereas, 83.32% and 66.67% spore germination inhibition of the fungus was observed respectively. At 5000 ppm, methanolic extracts of Crotolaria quinquefolia, garlic, curry leaf and turmeric oil recorded 35.55%, 44.44%, 50.00% and 70.00% mycellial growth inhibition of the fungus. Methanolic extracts of C. juncea, C. quinquefolia, curry leaf and garlic recorded above 80.00% feeding inhibition on S. obliqua and larval mortality of 20.00%-44.44%. It is clear that neem, sunnhemp, garlic and turmeric extract possess antifungal, insecticidal, antifeedant properties and may be integrated for management of stem rot as well as S. obliqua in jute crop.

Prospects of developing pre-mature flowering resistant tossa jute (C. olitorius) variety for early March and onwards sowing

Jute is generally cultivated during the months of April-July and the crop is followed by aman/kharif paddy cultivation. In most cases jute seed is sown based on onset of nor'westers or westerly winds which are not usually anticipated in time. Therefore, the cultivators have to face a dilemma in regard to pre-mature flowering under early sowing and pre-mature harvesting of his crop before paddy cultivation under late sowing. In such a situation, development of jute crop highly resistant to pre-mature flowering for early March to mid-March sowing without any risk of pre-mature flowering is considered to be a new breeding objective.

First Record of <I>Protapanteles obliquae</I> (Wilkinson) (Braconidae: Hymenoptera) on <I>Spilosoma obliqua</I> Walker on Jute Crop

A survey on native natural enemies of Bihar hairy caterpillar, Spilosoma obliqua Walker was conducted during April- August 2012 cropping season at ICAR-CRIJAF, Barrackpore as well as jute growing belts in West Bengal, India. The survey revealed that Protapanteles obliquae (Wilkinson) (Braconidae: Hymenoptera) is a potential larval parasitoid of S. obliqua which is occurring naturally on jute. This is the first record of natural parasitism of P. obliquae on S. obliqua on jute crop in India.

Effect of preceding rabi crops on yield of succeeding Deshi and Tossa jute

An experiment was conducted at the Jute Research Regional Station, Kishoreganj of Bangladesh Jute Research Institute, during 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 to find out the effects of preceding crops, viz. wheat, potato, lentil, and fallow on yield of succeeding jute crops. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The results revealed that plant height and base diameter of CVL-1 and O-9897 were not affected significantly by the preceding rabi crops. The fibre and stick yields of both the jute varieties were affected significantly. The highest fibre yield of CVL-1 (3.90 t ha-1 and 3.77 t ha-1) and O-9897 (3.51 t ha-1 and 2.93 t ha-1) was recorded when those were grown after potato and the yield was the lowest when grown after wheat and fallow land in both the years. There was no sharp variation in harvest index, which showed inconsistent between the years.Bangladesh Agron. J. 2014, 17(2): 15-19

Jute Crop Discrimination and Biophysical Parameter Monitoring Using Multi-Parametric SAR Data in West Bengal, India

The article highlights the results of a study carried out to understand the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) response to the second most important fibre crop of India i.e. Jute at C and L band frequency and at multiple polarizations. Methodology has been well established to classify jute crop using 3-date multitemporal HH SAR data and is being used for national level forecast in India. Performance comparison of single polarization (HH) multi-date versus dual-polarization 2-date data from Radarsat (both dual-pol HH/HV and quad-pol) was evaluated. Three-date HH polariza-tion (May, 05, May 29 and June 22) data had results comparable to two-date HH/HV data with around 90% accuracy. Correlation between backscattered signals and crop height shows that L-band signal has high correlation with crop height particularly in the peak or advanced crop growth stage as compared to C-band. Also backscatter variation with percent area cover has been investigated. Both plant height and area cover show stronger dependence to cross-polarization backscatter. Biophysical parameters viz. crop height and vigour map has been generated which will aid in monitoring growth and yield potentials.

Sowing dates: a major factor on the infestation of insect pests and fibre yield of jute

The study was undertaken to assess the infestation of yellow mite and semilooper on jute in different dates of sowing. The results revealed that the early sown crop suffered more with yellow mite infestation and there was no significant effect of sowing times on semilooer infestation. There was no significant effect of insect pest pressure on fibre yield of the jute crop. Crop grown on mid-April was found to be more optimum with maximum of 30.30 q/ha fibre yield.

Impact of yellow mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus[Banks]) density on host's (Corchorus capsularis L.) phenology and assessment of yield loss under field conditions

Yellow mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus [Banks] (Acari: Tarsonemidae) is one of the major pests of jute crops (Corchorus capsularis L.) in Bangladesh. In this study, indigenous varieties of jute were used for treatments, namely, CVL-1, CVE-3, BJC-7370 and BJC-83. The paired plot treatments (treated and untreated controls) were laid out under field conditions. The effects of yellow mite were studied at three stages of the jute plants: 60 days after sowing (DAS), 90 DAS and 120 DAS. A higher number of mite stages was observed up to 90 DAS and then declined up to 120 DAS in var. BJC-7370 among two other varieties, Deshi and Tossa. The percentage of infestation and damage indexes (scale 0–5) were measured to relate yellow mite injuries to the number of leaves, leaf area, fresh leaf weight, dry leaf weight, soluble solids, plant height, base diameter, fiber weight, stick weight, number of flowers per plant, number of pods, pod weight per plant, seeds per pod, seed weight and 1000 seeds' weight of plants infested at three different phenological stages. The highest fiber yield loss was found in the variety BJC-7370 (59.75%), followed by BJC-83 (55.56%), CVE-3 (54.30%) and CVL-1 (50.05). The highest stick yield losses were found in the following order: BJC-7370 (54.54%) > BJC-83 (51.17%) > CVL-1 (43.68%) > CVE-3 (37.80%) and BJC-7370 (30.33%) > CVL-1 (27.83%) > BJC-83 (24.16%) > CVE-3 (22.11%) for the highest seed yield under field conditions for Corchorus capsularis. High yellow mite population in untreated checks decreased plant growth and showed significant losses in yield production for the variety BJC-7370.

English

  The yellow mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus Banks (Acari: Tarsonemidae) is one of the most serious pests of jute crop (Corchorus olitorius L.) in Bangladesh. Jute plants of tossa (C. olitorius) varieties were considered as treatments including, O-9897,O-72,OM-1 and O-795. The paired plot treatments (miticide treated and miticide untreated control) were laid out under net house condition. The impact of yellow mite, were studied on three stages of jute plants: 60, 90 and 120 DAS. The higher number of mite stages observed up to 90 DAS then declined afterward up to 120 DAS in var. OM-1 among four C. olitorius varieties. A damage index scale (0-5) was to assess yellow mite injury to jute plants. The percent infestation and damage index was also used to relate yellow mite injury to different yield contributing characters of plants infested at three different phenological stages. The yield contributing characters of untreated plots showed significant damage at 60, 90 and 120 DAS in C. olitorius varieties compared to treatment plots. The highest fibre yield losses due to mite infestation was found in the variety OM-1 (74.71%) followed by O-795 (72.98%), O-72 (68.14%) and the lowest was in O-9897 (50.11%); the highest stick yield losses in OM-1(57.18%) followed by O-795 (49.43%), O-9897 (49.35%), the lowest was in O-72(48.92%)and the highest seed yield losses in O-795(64.34%)followed by O-72(48.21%),OM-1(44.55%), he lowest was in O-9897(42.69%) under net house condition. High yellow mite population in the untreated check decreased plant growth and showed significant fibre and stick weight loss in the variety OM-1 and seed weight loss in the variety O-795.   Key words: Polyphagotarsonemus latus, Corchorus capsularis, abundance, yield.

Economic Characterization of Predominant Farming Systems in West Bengal, India

This paper seeks to characterize and evaluate predominant farming systems in economic terms across all agro-climatic zones of West Bengal, India as well as to assess the extent of crop diversification among different size classes. A multi-stage random sampling method followed by a farm survey with structured interview schedule revealed that farming community of all size classes intended to shift from their traditional rice based cropping system to more income generating systems like fruits, vegetables, livestock, plantation, spices and piggery based sub-systems in Hilly tract, fibre and vegetables based systems in Terai and Old Alluvium regions, vegetables based systems in New Alluvial, sugarcane and vegetable based systems in Lateritic Red Soil zone and fishery, oilseeds and plantation (betel vine) based systems in the Coastal belt of the state. The extent of crop diversification was maximum among small and marginal farmers and a strong and continued shift towards vegetables and orchard crop was observed. The farmers across all regions consciously invested water and inputs in fruits and vegetables to achieve greater return in comparison to rice and other agronomic crops. Jute crop, despite of its oddities with price, was more of agronomic compulsion, which was visible in Terai and Old Alluvium tract. Jute rendered more benefits with vegetables than rice in the same piece of land. Despite of several odds in the problematic Lateritic Red Soil region of the state, sugarcane was identified as predominant crop with good economic return. Livestock rearing was also on the rise along with fishery in the problematic Coastal Saline belt. This has been a welcome shift and diversification of farm enterprise. With gradual departure from rice and other cereals and shift favouring vegetables, orchard, livestock and fishery enterprises farm families have better productivity and remuneration per unit of land and might provide employment opportunity with less gestation.