Can sulfur improve the fiber yield of jute?

Jute (Corchorus sp) is the most important bast fiber of the world, an alternative to European hemp. Sulfur (S) is gaining importance in crop production, particularly due to intensive agriculture, high yielding varieties, use of high analysis S free fertilizers and less use of organic manures. Thus, a two year field study was conducted to assess the effect of S fertilization (S-0= Control, S-15=15kg S ha(-1), S-30=30kg S ha(-1), S-45=45kg S ha(-1)) on fiber yield, nutrient uptake, depth wise nutrient availability and S fractions on jute and to screen the jute varieties (JRO 204, JRO 8432, JRO 524 and JBO1) for higher S use efficiency and increased productivity. Results revealed that compared to S-0 treatment, S-45 treatment significantly increased fiber yield, total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake (21.2%, 34.4%, 38.3%, and 34.2%) and net economic returns by 39%. The jute cultivar JRO 204 produced the highest fiber yield (3.04 t ha(-1)). The agronomic efficiency and apparent S recovery were higher at S-15 and decreased with higher levels of S application. Increased levels of S application increased all the S fractions in soils after harvest of jute crop. Among the S treatments, S-45 treatment exhibited highest content of total S, organic S, adsorbed S, and plant available S over other S levels. Organic sulfur was the dominant form and it contributed 65-74% of total sulfur. Thus, result suggests that S application @ 45 kg ha(-1) improves productivity of jute and maintains soil fertility for sustainable crop production.