Source-Sink Control of Jute Productivity

Two olitorius (JRO 632 and JRO 878) and two capsularis (JRC 212 and JRC-201) cultivars were grown in the field and growth analysis was made to evaluate the consequence of physiological characteristics in controlling jute productivity. Emphasis was given to the source-sink relationship. Significant differences in the nature of source activity (EA) were noticed between the two species. After the initial fall the olitorius cultivars showed a much increased source activity at later growth stages compared to capsularis where it became steady at later phase- However, in general, the source strength [source activity x source size (LAI)] was always equal to the sink strength [sink activity (R_G) x sink size (weight of wood, bark and new leaves)] indicating the utilization of entire assimilate-produced for structural growth. The sink size was also found much in excess than source, especially at later growth stages of both the species. However, the increased storage was mainly due to higher wood production. Only 20–25% of total biomass in both of them was partitioned into fibre. Harvest index did not show any difference amongst the cultivars. Higher fibre yield of olitorius was mainly due to higher dry matter accumulation at later growth stage.