JUTE
Jute
occupies second place, next to cotton in the world's production of natural
fibres. India and Bangladesh both have monopoly in jute industry as more than
85 % of the worlds Jute fibres are grown here.
Jute
is also grown in Burma, Farmosa, China, Brazil and Nepal. India is the
world's major exporter in jute clothes and materials.
Jute
is obtained from the stems of two. plants grown mainly in the Indian
subcontinent. The botanical name of the plants from which jute is obtained are Corchonus
capsularis and Corchorus olitorius. In general appearance, both the plants
are similar, haying long straight stems of about 2.5 cm in circumference.
The
differences between the two species is in their fruits, heights.
C.
capsularis yields 'white' jute whereas
C.
olitorius yields Tossa and '
CULTIVATION
Low-lying,
slightly acidic, alluvial soils in river complexes are particularly suited to
jute growing, specially when these solids are flooded each year. After
flooding, a deposit of silt is left on them, when the flood-waters recede.
These
soils are slightly acidic in nature, which is helpful for the growth of the
plant. The rainfall should be average 80 mm to 100 mm during the growth of the
plant , 65 % t 90 % humidity and 25 ° C to 40 ° C is most beneficial to the
crop. The cultivation areas suited for this atmosphere in India are West
Bengal, Orissa, Assam and Bihar.
C.Capsularis
is sown early in the month of February and March and C. Olitorius in April and
May. Within two or three days, the seeds
PROPERTIES
Jute
is The smallest unit of the commercial raw jute is known as 'reed. The length
of se reeds varies from 1 meter to 4.5 meter, depending upon the grade. The
denier varies from 6 to 50, but the average is around 18-20 denier. The
diameter is usually 6-20 microns:
The
fibres are polygonal in cross-section with a wide lumen. Jute is hygroscopic.
At standard conditions, the regain is 13% The tensile strength of the fibres
are 5-8 gm/den. The density of the fibre is 1.48 gm/cc.
Jute,
like other cellulosic fibres, is not affected by heat. Prolonged heating only
degrades the fibre. Because of
degradation, the colour changes from light brown to deep brown and then to
black. Jute fibre undergoes tendering with the colour changes from yellow to
brown or deep brown on exposure to light
Jute
fibre is acidic in nature, and the pH of the aqueous extract various between
5.5 to 6.2 pH. So at ordinary or cold conditions, organic acids like oxalic
acid or formic acid, mineral acids like sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid in
dilute solutions have no action on jute fibre. Dilute acids brighten the fibre
to some extent. With strong acids at boiling conditions, hydrocellulose is
formed, which leads te higher loss in strength Dilute solution of alkalis has
little effect on jute fibres but concentrated alkalis bring about profound
swelling and loss in strength
Ordinary
oxidizing agents have no action on jute. Only strong oxidizing agents will form
oxycellulose. Reducing agents exert little influence on the fibre. Similarly,
jute fiber has resistance to micro-organisms at ordinary conditions.
