Seed agronomy of jute.: II.: Production and quality of Corchorus olitorius seed as influenced by nutrient management

The study attempted to improve the olitorius jute seed yield consistent with quality through judicious management of N, P and K. Field experiments were conducted in a sandy loam soil during May-November, 1994 and 1995 using a randomised block design with three replications. The nutrient levels tried were N10P10K10, N20P20K20, N40P40K40 en N60P60K60. The modes of N application were (1) 50% N as basal and the remaining 50% at 30 days after sowing (DAS) (2-split-normal), (2) 50% N at 25 DAS and 50% N during topping at 45 DAS (2-split-modified) and (3) 50%, 25% and 25% N at 25, 45 and 65 DAS respectively (3-split). Harvesting was done at full maturity of pods and seed quality (viability and vigour) was assessed. The study suggests that gradual increase in the level of NPK fertilization exerted beneficial effect on components of growth, seed yield and its vigour. Three-split N application excelled over both 2-split-normal and 2-split-modified in terms of pod number, pod weight, seed yield per plot, plant nutrient content and proportion of bolder seeds in the produce. Interaction between nutrient level and mode of N application also revealed beneficial effects on these aspects (except nutrient content) with 3-split N application at the highest nutrient level.