Question

At what stage, are jute plants normally harvested?

Answer 1

Hint: Jute is a bast fiber that can be spun into coarse, strong threads and is long, soft, and shiny. It's made from flowering plants of the genus Corchorus, which belongs to the Malvaceae family of mallows. Corchorus olitorius is the most common source of fiber, but it is considered inferior to Corchorus capsularis fiber.

Step by step answer:
In terms of cultivation and use, jute is one of the most important natural fibers after cotton. Cultivation is influenced by the weather, the season, and the soil. The Ganges Delta is home to nearly 85 percent of the world's jute production.
Bangladesh and India share this fertile geographical region (mainly West Bengal). China is also the world's leading producer of jute. Thailand, Myanmar (Burma), Pakistan, Nepal, and Bhutan all grow jute on a smaller scale.
Farmers scatter seeds on cultivated soil to grow jute. Plants are thinned out when they reach a height of 15–20 cm. Harvesting begins four months after planting. Before the flowers go to seed, the plants are usually harvested after they flower. Close to the ground, the stalks are cut off. For about 20 days, the stalks are tied into bundles and soaked in water.
The tissues are softened, and the hard [pectin] bond between the bast and the [Jute hurd] (inner woody fiber stick) is broken, allowing the fibers to be separated. The stalks' fibers are then stripped into long strands and washed in clear, running water. Then they're hung up or spread out to dry on thatched roofs. The fibers are tied into bundles after drying for 2–3 days.
A warm and wet climate, such as that provided by the monsoon climate during the fall season, followed by summer, is ideal for growing jute. Temperatures of over 25°C and relative humidity of 70–90% are ideal for successful cultivation. Jute requires 160–200 cm of rain per year, with additional rainfall required during the sowing season. River basins, alluvial, and loamy soils are best for jute cultivation.
Jute cultivation in red soils may necessitate a high dose of manure, and it grows best in a pH range of 4.8 to 5.8. Jute can be grown on flat land, a gentle slope, or low ground. Due to the small size of the jute seeds, the land must be prepared for fine tilling, which can be accomplished by careful plowing.

Thus, at its flowering stage jute plants are normally harvested.

Note:
India has taken advantage of recent advancements in jute cultivation to become the world's largest jute producer or cultivator. India also has a stranglehold on the global jute products market, thanks to advanced manufacturing techniques. India is the world's largest consumer of jute, thanks to a national law requiring the use of jute as a packaging material.