Research Unit 4: Jute Research Station, Katihar

The Regional Research Sub-Station in Jalalgarh, established on 5th May 1987, plays a vital role in advancing agricultural research and supporting local farmers. By focusing on crop improvement, soil and water management, pest and disease control, and climate adaptation, the station contributes to enhancing agricultural productivity andsustainability in the region.

Mandate of Jute Research Station, Katihar

·         Basic and Strategic research on improvement of jute and allied fibre crops biotic and abiotic stresses.

·         Development of economically viable and sustainable production technology and cropping system

·         Coordination and monitoring of applied research on national and regional issues to develop improved varieties and technology

 Dissemination of technologies and capacity building.

Research activities

Jute Research Station (JRS), Katihar has made remarkable progress in jute research and development, contributing significantly to the jute industry in Bihar. In 1994, the station developed the capsularis jute variety 'KTC-1 (Rajendra Sada Pat 1)', known for its resistance to premature flowering and absence of pod dehiscence, with a potential yield of 28.0 q/ha. In 2005, the olitorious jute variety 'S-19' (Subala) was co-developed by JRS Katihar, offering a high yield potential of 30-35 q/ha and being tolerant to major pests and diseases, with fine fiber quality. The station also developed an 'Integrated Disease and Pest Management in Jute' technology for effective pest and disease management, approved during RCM Kharif 2022, specifically targeting jute farmers in Bihar.

Over the past 50 years, JRS Katihar has evaluated more than 2,000 germplasm/lines of jute for various parameters, including yield, pest, and disease resistance, while over 300 lines of Mesta (mainly Roselle) have been evaluated in the last five years. Numerous high-yielding varieties of jute and Mesta have been tested under the AINP on Jute & Allied Fibres scheme and recommended to jute growers in Bihar, including varieties such as JRO-632, JRO-66, JRO-128, JRO-3690, JRO-524, and S-19, suitable for different sowing conditions and cropping sequences.

JRS Katihar has also made significant progress in jute breeding, conducting more than 300 crosses over the last decade among elite germplasm lines of olitorious jute. Two entries of olitorious jute, BROJ-12 and BROJ-13, and two entries of capsularis, BRCJ-8 and BRCJ-9, have been submitted for evaluation in the Initial Varietal Trial (IVT) to ICAR-CRIJAF in 2024. Additionally, entry BROJ-11 has been submitted to AVT-I, and entry BROJ-6 to AVT-II for multi-location trials in 2024. Roselle entry BRRM-1 (Bihar Roselle Mesta-1) was promoted to AVT-I in the yield evaluation trial of AINP Jute & Allied Fibers in 2022.

The station maintains 211 germplasm lines, including capsularis, olitorious, and Roselle. It has produced approximately 1,200 kg of foundation/certified seeds of JRO-204 and JRO-8432 varieties over the last five years. JRS Katihar has recommended the sowing of jute seed crops in the second fortnight of July for optimal seed production in Bihar. The station also validated the use of Quizalofop ethyl for effective weed management in jute and promoted the use of a microbial consortium powder developed by CRIJAF, Barrackpore, for early retting and quality improvement of jute fibers. JRS Katihar has played a pivotal role in enhancing the production and productivity of jute crops in Bihar, increasing yield from 900 kg/ha in the 1970s to 2,500 kg/ha in the 2020s through the popularization of improved varieties and agronomic practices. In addition to its research achievements, JRS Katihar has published three booklets on various aspects of jute crop cultivation, including  ‘पटसन कृषि की आधुनिक पद्धति’- a booklet published in 2018

पाट एवं मेस्ता के बीज उत्पादन की उन्नत (2018) and ‘पटसन की उन्नत कृषि ' (2021). Over the last decade, the station has published more than seven research papers on jute, further contributing to the knowledge base of jute crop cultivation and management.