BJKB

Introduction

Breeding Division of Bangladesh Jute Research Institute was known as Botany Division at the beginning of the institute. Since its inception, it was the research arm of Bangladesh Jute Research Institute. Among all the divisions, it plays a major role in developing various technologies and high yielding improved varieties of jute, kenaf and mesta with fast growing, short duration nature, and adverse environment tolerance capacities. These high yielding improved varieties are used for the production of diversified jute products in the face of changing climate and agro-ecosystems. The varieties are being developed through conventional breeding approaches like introduction, selection, hybridization, polyploidization, mutation, and through biotechnological techniques. Breeding division has developed new varieties considering the agro-environment of the country and the demand of the farmers, and production has increased manifold. The improved varieties of jute and allied fiber (JAF) crops are being developed for abiotic and biotic stress tolerance, good quality fiber production and contribution in the national economy. The amount of jute cultivable land in the country is less and jute cultivation has been shifted to marginal and inferior lands, but the national average of jute production has continued to increase. The scientists of breeding division have developed 54 improved varieties including 28 deshi jute, 18 tossa jute, four kenaf and four mesta crops to make jute the continuous and profitable cultivation. Out of these 54 varieties, 27 improved varieties including 11 deshi jute, eight tossa jute, four kenaf and four mesta varieties are being cultivated at farmers level. The moderate salinity tolerant varieties (deshi jute varieties named BJRI Deshi pat 8 and BJRI Deshi pat 10) aimed at expanding jute cultivation in the southern regions has been successful. BJRI kenaf 4, a new variety of high yielding kenaf crop with low maintenance and low cost, is a beacon of hope for farmers in flood prone char areas in the northern regions.

Objectives of Breeding Division

1) Development of fast growing, early maturing, adverse environment tolerant and high yielding jute, kenaf and mesta varieties.

2) Development of desired parental lines of jute, kenaf and mesta.

3) Maintenance of genetic purity of developed jute, kenaf and mesta varieties.

Resource Personnel of Breeding Division:

Office assistant

Total

Activities of breeding division are being conducted through three departments under the supervision of a Chief Scientific Officer. The branches are:

1.      Capsularis Department

2.      Olitorius Department

3.      Kenaf and Mesta Department

Private resource personnel of Chief Scientific Officer (CSO):

Office assistant

Total

(A) Capsularis Department

Objectives of capsularis department-

·         Development of fast growing, early maturing, high yielding white jute varieties.

·         Development of high yielding varieties for climate resilient agriculture.

·         Development of stress (salinity, hilly, drought, waterlog, disease, insects) tolerant, short duration and photo insensitive varieties for cultivation throughout the country.

·         Maintenance of varietal purity and nucleus seed stocks every year.

·         Varietal development through conventional methods like introduction, selection, hybridization, polyploidization and mutation breeding techniques.

·         Production of nucleus and breeder seed of deshi jute varieties with genetic purity.

Manpower of Capsularis Department

Total

(B) Olitorius Department:

·         Development of fast growing, early maturing, high yielding tossa jute varieties.

·         Development of high yielding varieties for climate resilient agriculture.

·         Development of stress (salinity, drought, waterlog, disease, insects) tolerant, short duration and photo insensitive varieties for cultivation throughout the country.

·         Maintenance of varietal purity and nucleus seed stocks every year.

·         Varietal development through conventional methods like introduction, selection, hybridization, polyploidization and mutation breeding techniques.

·         Production of nucleus and breeder seed of tossa jute varieties with genetic purity.

Manpower of Olitorius Department

Total

(C) Kenaf and Mesta Department:

Objectives of Kenaf and Mesta Department-

·         Development of fast growing, early maturing, high yielding kenaf and mesta varieties.

·         Development of high yielding varieties to for climate resilient agriculture.

·         Development of stress (salinity, drought, waterlog, disease, insects) tolerant, short duration and photo insensitive varieties for cultivation throughout the country.

·         Maintenance of varietal purity and nucleus seed stocks every year.

·         Varietal development through conventional methods like introduction, selection, hybridization, polyploidization and mutation breeding techniques.

·         Production of nucleus and breeder seed of kenaf and mesta varieties with genetic purity.

Manpower of Kenaf and Mesta Department

Total

Significant Achievements of Breeding Division

1.      In order to continue the profitable cultivation of jute and production of this eco-friendly fiber crops, breeding division has developed 54 improved varieties of jute and allied fiber (JAF) crops including 28 deshi jute, 18 tossa jute, 4 kenaf and 4 mesta varieties. Out of these 54 varieties, at present 27 improved varieties including 11 deshi, 8 tossa jute, 4 kenaf and 4 mesta varieties are being cultivated at farmers level.

2.      O-9897 has been developed as a high yielding, popular variety among jute growers.

3.      High yielding and short duration JAF crops have been developed. Besides these, different JAF varieties that can be grown in hilly areas, salinity affected areas and char areas have also been developed.    

4.      A mesta variety namely HS 24 has been developed in 1977 which is a drought tolerant variety that can be grown in sandy soil and as a resistant variety to root knot diseases. Besides, BJRI Mesta 3 has been developed which has smooth stem compared to other mesta varieties.   

5.      BJRI Deshi pat 7 was developed in 2008 as a variety producing bright golden fiber with higher market value than conventional varieties.

6.      In order to expand jute cultivation in southern region of Bangladesh, BJRI Deshi pat 8 was developed in 2013 as a moderate (8 dS/m) salinity tolerant variety. Later on in 2021, another variety BJRI Deshi pat 10 was developed which is more salt (12 dS/m) tolerant.

7.      Some early sowing varieties e.g., BJRI Tossa pat 4, BJRI Deshi pat CC 45 have been developed. BJRI Tossa pat 6 and BJRI Deshi pat 7 have been developed as early harvesting varieties.

8.      In 2019, a high yielding and early harvesting type variety called BJRI Tossa pat 8 (Robi-1) was released from the Basic and Applied Research on Jute (BARJ) project which is gaining popularity among farmers now a days.

9.      BJRI developed kenaf variety (BJRI Kenaf 4) can tolerate waterlog condition that can be grown in the low-lying land, medium-high land, char areas and hilly areas of the country.

10.  BJRI Deshi pat shak 1 has been developed in 2014 as a leafy vegetable which do not have any bitter taste like other deshi varieties. In addition, two more highly nutritious vegetable jute varieties BJRI Deshi pat shak 2 and 3 have been developed in 2020.

11.  BJRI Mesta 2 (VM-1) was developed in 2010. Its calyx can be used for making jams, jellies, juices etc. Besides, 20% edible oil can be produced from its seeds.

List of Varieties of Jute, Kenaf and Mesta