In this essay we will discuss about:- 1. Origin and Distribution of Mesta 2. Climate, Soils and Tillage of Mesta 3. Varieties and Seasons 4. Seeds and Seeding 5. Nutrient Management 6. Weed Management 7. Harvesting, Retting and Extraction.
Origin and Distribution of Mesta:
The HC had its possible origin in Africa where it is found in wild habit and also in subtropical regions of Asia but controversy arises as to the origin of HS attributed to both Africa and India.
In the tropics, HC is cultivated mostly in Africa and Latin America and HS principally in India, Bangladesh, Thailand and Indonesia. Worldwide, HS far exceeds its other related species. The HS type has more resistance to root knot nematode and anthracnose. Kenaf and roselle are the important cordage crops of India.
In India, the area under mesta is around 0.15 M ha with a production of 0.73 M t accounting for a productivity of 1141 kg ha-1. Largest area is in AP (0.40 M ha) followed by Bihar and Maharashtra (0.20 M ha). Production is highest (0.30 M bales) in AP followed by Bihar (0.17 M bales). Productivity is highest in WB (2117 kg ha-1) followed by Bihar (1566 kg ha-1).
Climate, Soils and Tillage of Mesta:
A warm and humid climate suits both HC and HS. Both come up well in drier rainfed areas, the former being more drought resistant. In areas with 500-900 mm rainfall, HC suits better by virtue of shorter duration and faster growth. Neither of them stands prolonged waterlogging. Both HC and HS withstand temperature range of 17° to 44°C but optimum is around 34°C. Mesta thrives in elevation of sea level to 1000 m. They are grown as rainfed crop during monsoon.
Mesta is grown on a variety of soils. However, clay loams with good internal drainage are ideal. Acid soils are not suitable. With a pH above 7, chlorosis appears in HS mesta. Low-lying areas are not suitable for both HC and HS. Land preparation is much the same as in the case of jute.
Varieties and Seasons of Mesta:
In India, HS is more popular than HC. In Andhra Pradesh, Kalinga and Surya are the two popular varieties for fibre.
Improved varieties are:
Both HC and HS types are kharif rainfed crops. Varieties HS 4288 and HS 7910 perform better when sown from mid-April to mid-May, roughly north of 22°N. Variety AMV 1 is suitable for areas south of 22°N and can be sown upto June as in Andhra Pradesh. In general. May-June is the optimum sowing period for mesta. April seeding is the best, provided adequate rainfall is received.
Seeds and Seeding of Mesta:
The seed is sown both by broadcasting and drilling in rows. However, row seeding is ideal, as it allows intercultivation with implements for weed control.
For broadcasting, the seed requirement is 20 kg ha-1 in the case of HC and 25 kg-1 in the case of HS. For drilling with a spacing of 30 x 10 cm, HS type requires 12 kg ha-1 and HC type 15 kg ha-1.
Nutrient Management for Mesta:
In general, roselle (HS) absorbs more NPK than kenaf (HC). A well-managed crop removes 50 N, 30 P2O5 and 40 K2O kg ha-1. Nitrogen is the critical nutrient and response to applied nitrogen seems almost universal. The rate of nitrogen varies from 35 to 80 kg ha-1 depending on soil type and rainfall during the crop season.
In Andhra Pradesh, where mesta is largely grown, recommended fetiliser schedule is 25 N, 20 P2O5 and 20 K2O kg ha-1 in addition to that of FYM. Nitrogen is recommended in two splits: 15 N along with entire dose of phosphorus and potassium at sowing by placement and the remaining 10 N at the time of first hoeing (20 DAS). If top dressing is not possible due to draught, nitrogen is recommended as foliar spray (2.5%) around 20 DAS.
Weed Management for Mesta:
Both HS and HC compete well with the weeds. Critical period of weed competition is upto 45 DAS. For a broadcast crop, two hand weedings should be given around 21 and 35 DAS. For a row crop, two intercultivations at 20 days interval starting from 20 DAS followed by a hand weeding are ideal and economical.
Among the herbicides Fluchloralion (1.5-2.0) Trifluralion (0.5-1.0), Metolachlor (0.75-1.0) and 2, 4-D DMA salt are effective against many weeds in mesta crop.
Harvesting, Retting and Extraction of Mesta:
All the HS types are of longer duration (180-210 days), whereas HC flowers in about 150 days. The HS types are harvested at 5 per cent flowering (first fortnight of November) and the HC types at boll formation stage (second fortnight of October).
Delayed harvesting gives more fibre but of coarser quality. In Andhra Pradesh, plants are uprooted and in jute belt, plants are cut close to the ground as in the case of jute. Harvesting by cutting up to the ground level results in good quality fibre.
Harvested sticks are spread in thin layers, allowed to dry for 2-3 days and made into small bundles. Urea (1.25%) is sprayed on the bundles and after 24 hrs, the bundles steeped in clean water upright for 4-5 days. Then, they are placed side by side horizontally for proper retting in the same manner as in the case of jute.
Quality of mesta fibre is judged on the basis of almost the same criteria as in the case of jute and grading is done on the same lines.