Common name : Bush okra, jews mallow Chromosome number : 2n=2x=14 Family : Tiliaceae The two important cultivated species in Jute are White Jute : Corchorus capsularis Tossa Jute : Corchorus olitorius Jute is a natural fibre popularly known as “golden fibre.” It is one of the cheapest and the strongest of all natural fibres. Jute is second only to Cotton in world’s production of textile fibres. Retting is the process of extracting fibre from stem of the jute plants.

1. JUTE

2. CLASSIFICATION
• Class : Dicotyledons
•
Order : Malvales
•
Family : Tiliaceae
•
Genus : Corchorus

3. • Scientific name :
• White Jute :Corchorus capsularis
• Tossa Jute : Corchorus olitorius
• Common name : Bush okra, jews mallow
• Chromosome number : 2n=2x=14
• Family : Tiliaceae
• It is also known as “ Golden Fibre” in India
and Bangladesh, due to shiny appearance of the
fibre.

4. • The inflorescence of
Jute is a leaf – opposed,
condensed cyme and
occurs on the terminal
and lateral branches.
• Flower : The flowers
are in a group of 2 or 3
in case of Corchorus
olitorius and in a group
of 2 to 6 in case of
Corchorus capsularis.
The size of olitorius
flowers is twice of
capsularis flowers.

5. • Calyx : Sepals are five in
number.
• Corolla : Petals are five in
number and yellow in colour.
• Androecium : Stamens are
20 to 30 in capsularis and 30
to 60 in olitorius. Stamens
surround the stigma. Anthers
are pale yellow in colour.
• Gynoecium :
• capsularis : Ovary superior,
round, five carpelled,
syncarpous with axile
placentation, style short and
stout and stigma flat.
• olitorius : Elongated ovary
larger style length.

6. • Fruit :
• capsularis : globular
fruits, round, 1-1.5 cm in
diameter, wrinkled surface,
5 locules, each locule
contains 7-10 seeds.
• olitorius : cylindrical
fruits, elongated, 6-10cm
long, 0.5 – 1cm diameter,
entire length ridged, 5-6
locules, each locule contains
25-40 seeds.

7. • Anthesis and Pollination :
• In capsularis anthesis starts after one to two
hours after sunrise, whereas in olitorius it starts
about an hour before sunrise. Stamens usually
dehisce before opening of the flower. Self
pollination prevails in both these species, still
extent of natural crossing in olitorius species
ranges upto 10 per cent.

8. • Selfing :
• The flowers are usually self pollinated but some
cross pollination may occur.
• To prevent cross fertilization the flowers may be
protected by covering with fine mesh muslin
cloth bags of size 50 cm x 25 cm.
• These bags may be fitted with bamboo rings to
prevent the walls from collapsing and touching
and injuring the flowers.

9. Emasculation :
• The flowers which appear first on the spike always set
seeds better.
• The buds suitable for emasculation are those with pale
anthers and petals.
• Jute flowers are very sensitive to the removal of calyx
and corolla.
• Seed set is reduced when the calyx is removed.
• The bud to be emasculated is held at the base between
the thumb and index finger of one hand. The sepals and
petals are separated with a pair of fine pointed forceps.
The anthers are removed with the forceps, then the buds
are examined with a hand lens for complete removal of
anthers. The emasculated bud is enclosed in a cellophane
bag with small perforations that permit movement of air.

10. • Crossing :
• Pollinate these emasculated buds next morning by touching
the ripe anthers to the stigmatic surface.
• In olitorius pollination should be done before 9.30 am and in
capsularis upto 11.30 am.
• Complete the entries on the tag and cover the pollinated buds
with butter paper bags for next 24 hours.
• After about 6 weeks of pollination, the capsules mature. Pick
up these capsules, when they are just mature to avoid seed
loss due to shattering.