21 Jul Sulphur is crucial for Jute production.
जूट या पटसन उत्पादन के लिए सल्फर महत्वपूर्ण है Jute is an important commercial crop of Eastern India. It spreads over an area of around 8 million ha in the states like West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and some part of Uttar Pradesh. The crop is very much responsive to external application of major and micro nutrients. Latest soil fertility report of country by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research has highlighted the role of Sulphur in agricultural crops. Around 42% jute growing districts of West Bengal and 43% jute growing districts of Bihar is facing the problem of Sulphur deficiency (www.targetmap.com). Moreover farmers also do not emphasize on application of Sulphur. Thus, Sulphur, is also becoming a limiting factor to realize yield potential of jute in such areas. At national level, imbalanced application of chemical fertilizer and decreased application of farm yard manure (FYM) or organic manure has further aggravated the situation by reducing the profitability and livelihood of farming communities. Now a days, the practice of burning of crop residues in the agricultural field, weaning away the practice of application of Ammonium Sulphate, Single Super Phosphate, increased population coupled with high cropping intensity (three or more) is exhausting the soil of Sulphur content whereas no additional sulphur is being added....