Improved microbial retting and quality jute (Corchorus spp.) fibre production in India – A review

Abstract

Jute (Corchorus spp. L.), the second most important fibre crop next to cotton, is a biodegradable and eco-friendly crop and one of the main cash crops of eastern India. India is the largest producer of raw jute in the world earning about `2200 crores per annum through export of diversified jute goods for which quality jute fibre is needed. The jute fibre quality depends directly on retting process. In India, more than 90% jute farmers do not have the access to free flowing water, so they carry out jute retting in stagnant water. The quality of jute fibre is deteriorated in stagnant water retting because of several factors like less rainfall, repeated retting, absence of efficient retting microbes, direct use of mud, soil etc. In this review paper we have discussed the views of various research workers about the efficient retting microbes, their utilization as microbial consortium for faster retting and quality jute fibre production even in stagnant water retting. Latest molecular approaches for identification of retting microbes including whole genome sequencing of retting microbes and their utilization as talc based formulation, spore based liquid formulation, use of immobilized strain of efficient retting microbes for faster environment friendly jute retting towards quality jute fibre production under farmers’ field conditions have also been discussed in detail.

Influence of different microbial agents on the jute retting process in a stagnant condition

“…P1M1 showed 45.07% better results than P2M0. Microbial treatment enhanced the retting duration greatly and reduced it by 10-12 days compared to conventional retting (Majumdar et al, 2022).…”

Hemp: From Field to Fiber—A Review

“…The choice of retting method depends on factors like fiber quality, processing time, and environmental impact. In recent years, researchers have been exploring new methods and refining existing ones to improve efficiency, reduce the environmental impact, and enhance fiber properties [39]. These advancements may include the development of new enzymes, microbial cultures, or modified chemical processes to optimize the retting process [40].…”

“…Metagenomics holds promise in addressing various challenges associated with different retting methods. It can help achieve more consistent results lacking in dew retting, reduce water pollution in water retting, lower the costs associated with enzyme use in enzymatic retting, and eliminate harsh chemical usage in chemical retting [39,50,53,54]. Moreover, metagenomics-based approaches offer scalability advantages, as selected colonies of microorganisms in artificial tanks can achieve superior fiber quality in shorter durations compared to traditional methods, harvest after harvest [50].…”

“…While metagenomics has shown promising results in bast plants like flax, jute, or kenaf, its application in hemp retting remains relatively underexplored. Nonetheless, initial studies indicate potential benefits, including reduced retting time, increased fiber recovery rates, and enhanced fiber tenacity compared to traditional methods like water retting [39,54,55]. Utilizing metagenomics in hemp retting could lead to a more consistent and streamlined process, yielding higher-quality fibers and offering an easier scalability compared to recent methods like enzymatic retting.…”

Evaluation of F2 Mapping Population for Stem Rot Tolerance in Tossa Jute (Corchorus olitorius)

“…The mechanism of host resistance offers the most effective way to manage the disease (Meena et al, 2021). However, none of the cultivable jute varieties has shown complete resistance against M. phaseolina (Mahapatra et al, 1994, Mandal et al, 2000, Kar et al, 2009, Srivastava et al, 2011. However, few tolerant jute cultivars/germplasm lines were identified in tossa jute (Corchorus olitorius) gene pool which is being utilized in a further breeding programme (De et al, 1990, De andMandal, 2012).…”