BJRI developed Tossa jute (Corchorus olitorius) varieties: agronomic traits, fiber quality, economic significance and future prospect in Bangladesh

Tossa jute (Corchorus olitorius), often termed Bangladesh’s “golden fiber,” remains integral to the nation’s agrarian economy, industrial sustainability, and rural livelihoods. This review critically synthesizes advancements in the development, agronomic traits, fiber quality, and socio-economic significance of BJRI-released Tossa jute varieties, while exploring their evolving role in climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture. The Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI) has spearheaded varietal improvements through conventional breeding, mutation, and hybridization, resulting in high-yielding, disease-resistant cultivars like O-9897, Tossa Pat 5, and Sobuj Sona. These varieties exhibit superior fiber attributes, early maturing traits, and adaptability to diverse agro-ecological zones, making them pivotal to enhancing national productivity and farmer income. The study evaluates the cost structure of Tossa jute cultivation, highlighting its economic viability relative to high-input cash crops (Average total production cost: BDT 32,000–38,000 ha⁻¹). Labor remains the largest expenditure, but moderate input requirements and favorable market returns ensure attractive profitability, especially when integrated into rice–jute cropping systems. Tossa jute’s efficient nutrient acquisition, driven by extensive root systems, mycorrhizal associations, and adaptive physiological traits, is pivotal for sustaining productivity in nutrient-poor soils. Balanced macro- and micronutrient management, combined with innovations in retting techniques, have significantly enhanced fiber yield, quality, and environmental outcomes. Fiber and seed production timelines are critically examined, emphasizing the importance of timely harvesting (110–120 days) for optimal fiber quality and extended field retention for seed production. The review also discusses eco-friendly retting innovations, such as microbial and ribbon retting, which reduce environmental impacts while improving fiber brightness and softness. A key focus is Tossa jute’s agroecological functions, including carbon sequestration, improving soil health, suppressing weeds, and enhancing biodiversity. Cultivation of Tossa jute on flood-prone and marginal lands supports environmental resilience and aligns with global efforts toward low-carbon, circular economies. The crop’s fully biodegradable fibers position it as a strategic alternative to plastics, offering broad industrial applications in textiles, geotextiles, packaging, and bio composites. The review concludes by addressing the market dynamics, trade potential, and policy imperatives necessary to unlock Tossa jute’s full economic and ecological value. Research priorities include advanced breeding, product diversification, and climate-smart cultivation practices, supported by robust institutional frameworks. Thus, Tossa jute emerges as a multifunctional crop capable of advancing Bangladesh’s sustainability goals, industrial competitiveness, and rural development in the context of global environmental challenges.