Jute cultivation process | Different types of defects/faults in jute fiber.

Jute cultivation process

To increase jute, farmers spread seeds on cultivated soil. When the plants are around15-20 cm tall, they are thinned. About four months after planting, the harvest begins. Trees are usually cut before flowering. The stalks are cut close to the ground. The stalks are tied in bundles and soaked in water for about 20 days. This process softens the tissues and breaks the hard pectin bond between the busts and allows the process to separate the fibers. It is then stripped from the stalk of the long strand and washed in clean, flowing water. They are then hung or spread on the roof to dry. After 2-3 days of drying, the fibers are bound in bundles.

The climate suitable for jute growth is a warm and humid climate, which is provided by the monsoon climate in the fall season immediately after the summer. Temperatures above 25 ˚ C and relative humidity of 70% -90% are favorable for successful cultivation. Additional requirement during jute sowing is 160-200 cm rainfall per week. River basins or waterlogged or loamy soils are best for jute cultivation. Cultivation of jute in red soil may require high doses of fertilizer and the best pH range of 4.8-5.6 is required for its cultivation. Ideal for plain or soft or lowland jute cultivation. As jute seeds are small in size, the land should be prepared for fines, which can be carefully tied to the land.

Different defects/faults in jute fiber

There are different types of defects found in jute fiber. Such as below-

Rooty Jute: This problem occurs due to improper retting underwater. These faults see on the root end area in jute.

Specky jute: These defects occur due to insufficient washing which causes the outer barks to adhere to some places. Speck in jute is a major defect that lowers the quality of Jute fibers.

Dazed fibers: These defects see on jute fiber due to over-retting in water, for this reason, jute fiber loses strength and luster and becomes bad for spinning.

Runners: Runner is a defect where a long and hard barky ribbon of fibers remains in jute fiber.

Hunka: Hunka is a jute defect, for this reason, jute show hard and barky.

Mossy jute: Fibres from short plants that cannot be properly steeped and cleaned contain broken pieces of jute sticks etc.

Copy Jute: This defect is shown at the top end of the fiber. For this reason, the top end of the fiber becomes rough and hard. These defects usually occur due to careless steeping.

Knotty jute: This type of defect in jute fibers is caused by insect bites or punctures.

Flabby or hairy jute: These defects occur due to careless stripping, fiber loses firmness, and becomes flabby and hairy.

Heart damage: These defects occur when jute fiber contains excess moisture in the baled and bale center becomes badly tendered and in some cases, fibers are reduced to powder.