Economy of Low Density Sowing in Jute (Corchorus olitorius L.)

Abstract

Jute cultivation is a labour-intensive activity. Small and marginal farmers extensively practice high density sowing (HDS) by broadcasting jute seed. High plant stand due to HDS at emergence increases major operational expenses of weeding and thinning, sorting and fibre extraction. To investigate effects of low density sowing (LDS) on production potential of fibre and green biomass and possible reduction in man-days and cost of cultivation, field experiment was conducted at ICAR-CRIJAF farm and it was also repeated through farmers’ field trials in four different locations. Results from field experiment confirmed that low density sowing (LDS) of seeds @ 1.9 to 2.6 kg ha-1 mixed with matching amount (totaling 6 kg) of inert jute seed (fried) or river sand @ 4.1 to 3.4 kg ha-1 is sufficient to obtain 3.0-3.5 l ha-1 plant population, 36.00-42.55 q ha-1 fibre yield and 67.5-82.5 t ha-1 green biomass. LDS significantly reduced labour requirements for major operations by 91-107 man-days ha-1 and reduced cost of cultivation by 22916 to 26833 INR ha-1 without compromising fibre yield and total biomass production compared to HDS. In HDS, @ 6.0 kg seed ha-1, nearly 30 lakhs jute seedlings emerged and eventually settle down to 4.5-5.0 l ha-1 plant stand at harvest and yielded 40.45 q ha-1 fibre. About 203 man-days ha-1were required on major operations in HDS. Therefore, sowing jute seeds @ 1.9 to 2.6 kg ha-1 is recommended for obtaining optimum plant stand, high yield of fibre and green biomass with economy in cost of labour and lesser drudgery.