Haya: The Saudi Journal of Life Sciences (SJLS)
Volume-4 | Issue-02 | 52-68
Review Article
Research and Development Advances of Jute Seed in Bangladesh: A Review
Md. Mahbubul Islam, Md. Nasir Uddin
Published : March 30, 2019
Abstract
Jute seed production season, methods and related practices for yield and their economics were selected for its being large
concentration point in relation to production methods, yield and cost in Bangladesh. The technical review paper provides
crucial insights regarding the past, present status and future prospects of jute seed scenarios of the country. The whole
contents of the article covering all aspects of jute seed including strategies in overcoming the acute jute seed shortage of
the country. Data were collected from different print media like different annual reports and journals during the year
2018 at Agronomy Division, Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI), Dhaka. Jute is grown in about 0.8 million hectares
of land by about 3.5-4.0 million farmers. To cultivate that amount of land, the it require about 5000 to 5500 tons of seed.
One of the most important problems for jute production in Bangladesh is the non-availability of quality seed at proper
time of sowing. Only about 15%-20% quality jute seeds are supplied by institutional sources however the rest amount of
quality seeds yet to be managed to supply. Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI) produces nucleus seed to produce
“Breeder seed” duly certified by Seed Certification Agency (SCA). Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation
(BADC) collects Breeder seeds from BJRI for producing Foundation seeds at its own multiplication farms. BADC
produces certified seeds through its contract growers. Besides, BJRI also produces 8-10 tons of Truthfully Leveled Seed
(TLS) and distributed to the farmers. Since its inception BJRI has developed 42 varieties of jute fibre crops. Jute seed
could be produced by direct seeding, plant top/stem cutting and seedling transplanting methods, called improved
methods. In traditional method it took 240 to 270 days of field duration for seed production. In contrast 120 to 160 days
of field duration required for any improved method. Seed sowing generally done during March-April for jute fibre, a part
of matured plant’s of the same land kept for seed production in traditional system. However, in off-season, June-July was
proved appropriate sowing time for Corchorus capsularis L.