Crop details

Jute mallow (mrenda/mto)

Corchorus olitorius

Family: Malvaceae

Quick stats

Family	Malvaceae
Typical harvest	12.3 t/ha
Varieties	3
Pests & diseases	6
Seasons	3

Crop profile

Growth habit	annual
Days to harvest	60
Main uses	Young leaves cooked as a sticky vegetable (mrenda/mto) eaten with ugali and other staples; sometimes dried for later use.
Pollination	self
Origin / where it grows	Jute mallow (mrenda/mto) is a common African leafy vegetable, grown in home gardens and small fields in warm and moderately wet areas of East Africa.

Weather, soil & spacing

Best temperature	20–30 °C
Rainfall	600–900 mm/yr
Altitude	0–1800 m
Best pH	6–7
Soil type	Well-drained loam or sandy loam with good organic matter so Jute mallow (mrenda/mto) can grow fast and leafy.
Row spacing	30 cm
Plant spacing	15 cm
Planting depth	1 cm
Seed rate	4 kg/ha
Nursery days	—

Simple notes for farmers

About the crop: This crop is annual. You plant, grow and harvest it in one main season, then plant again. You can normally start harvesting about 60 days after planting, depending on care and variety.

Main use: Farmers mostly grow this crop for young leaves cooked as a sticky vegetable (mrenda/mto) eaten with ugali and other staples; sometimes dried for later use..

Pollination: This crop is mainly pollinated by self. Keeping flowers healthy and having insects like bees in the field helps improve fruit set and yields.

Where it grows: Jute mallow (mrenda/mto) is a common African leafy vegetable, grown in home gardens and small fields in warm and moderately wet areas of East Africa. It is grouped under: Vegetables.

Best climate: This crop does well in warm areas where the temperature is usually between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius. It prefers places that receive around 600 to 900 millimetres of rain in a year. It can grow from near sea level up to about 1800 metres above sea level.

Soil: The crop grows best in slightly acidic to near neutral soils, with a pH of about 6 to 7. It does well in well-drained loam or sandy loam with good organic matter so jute mallow (mrenda/mto) can grow fast and leafy.. Good drainage is important, so avoid waterlogged spots.

Plant spacing: Plant in rows about 30 centimetres apart, and leave about 15 centimetres between plants in the row. This gives each plant enough space for roots and canopy to spread.

Planting depth: Dig planting holes or furrows about 1 centimetres deep so the roots sit firmly in the soil but are not buried too deep.

Seed or planting material: Use around 4 kilograms of seed or planting material per hectare. Spread or plant evenly so the field has a good stand without being overcrowded.

Farmer guide (mwongozo wa mkulima)

Planting: Prepare a fine seedbed. Sow Jute mallow (mrenda/mto) seed in shallow rows, cover lightly with soil and water gently. Thin crowded seedlings so plants have enough space to branch and produce many leaves.

Transplanting: If nursery is used, transplant healthy seedlings 3–4 weeks after sowing, watering before lifting and after planting.

Irrigation: Keep soil moist during germination and early growth. Later, regular watering after each harvest helps plants regrow quickly and maintain soft leaves.

Fertigation: Under drip, apply small, frequent doses of nitrogen and potassium to support leafy growth of Jute mallow (mrenda/mto), but avoid very heavy nitrogen close to harvest.

Pest scouting: Check fields weekly for leaf-eating caterpillars, aphids and leaf spots on Jute mallow (mrenda/mto). Inspect young shoots and lower leaves carefully.

Pruning: Begin harvesting by cutting the soft tops to encourage branching. Later, harvest leaves and tender shoots regularly instead of uprooting plants.

Harvest: Start harvesting 4–6 weeks after emergence when plants are 20–30 cm tall. Harvest in the cool hours for best colour and stickiness.

Postharvest: Keep harvested Jute mallow (mrenda/mto) in shade, avoid crushing and transport quickly. For drying, spread thinly on clean mats or racks in shade with good air flow.

Nutrient schedule (mbolea kwa hatua)

#	Stage	DAP	Product	Rate	Targets (kg/ha)	Notes
1	Basal before sowing	0	NPK 17-17-17 or 15-15-15	100 kg/ha	N: 17, P₂O₅: 17, K₂O: 17	Broadcast lightly or apply in bands and incorporate into top 10–15 cm of soil before sowing Jute mallow (mrenda/mto).
2	Early topdress	14	CAN 26% N	60 kg/ha	N: 16, P₂O₅: 0, K₂O: 0	Apply between rows on moist soil and lightly cover or water in.
3	Topdress after first major cut	35	Urea 46% N or CAN	40 kg/ha	N: 18, P₂O₅: 0, K₂O: 0	Apply after cutting to encourage strong regrowth.

Nutrient requirements

Nutrient	Stage	Amount	Unit
N	Basal	25	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Basal	35	kg/ha
K₂O	Basal	35	kg/ha
N	Topdress_early	25	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Topdress_early	0	kg/ha
K₂O	Topdress_early	20	kg/ha
N	Topdress_after_cut	20	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Topdress_after_cut	0	kg/ha
K₂O	Topdress_after_cut	20	kg/ha

Name	Country	Maturity	Traits
Local Jute mallow (mrenda)	KE	55	Common in homesteads, good taste and stickiness in sauces.
Improved leaf Jute mallow	KE	60	More uniform plants, larger leaves and higher yields.
Local Jute mallow (mto) selections	TZ	60	Adapted to warm, low to mid-altitude areas and tolerant to short dry spells.

Stage	Product	Rate (kg/ha)	Notes
Basal	NPK 17-17-17 or 15-15-15	100	Balanced start for Jute mallow (mrenda/mto) at planting.
Topdress (N source)	CAN 26% N or urea	60	Apply once or twice based on leaf colour and crop vigour.
Organic	Well-rotted manure or compost	6000	Apply and mix into soil before planting to improve soil structure and water holding.

Name	Type	Symptoms	Management
Leaf-eating caterpillars	pest	Holes and torn leaves on Jute mallow (mrenda/mto), sometimes damage on growing tips.	Handpick on small plots, conserve natural enemies and use Bt or other recommended insecticides when necessary.
Aphids	pest	Clusters of small insects on tender shoots and young leaves, curling and yellowing leaves and sticky honeydew.	Avoid excess nitrogen, encourage natural enemies and treat with selective insecticides or biopesticides based on scoutin...
Whiteflies	pest	Small white insects on the underside of leaves causing yellowing and sooty mould growth.	Monitor regularly, remove heavily infested leaves and use recommended insecticides when numbers are high.
Spider mites	pest	Fine speckling, bronzing and webbing on leaves, especially in hot, dry weather.	Maintain some humidity, avoid dusty conditions and use miticides/biopesticides where needed.
Leaf spots and blights	disease	Small brown or dark spots on leaves of Jute mallow (mrenda/mto) that can merge and cause yellowing.	Avoid overhead irrigation late in the day, improve airflow, rotate crops and remove badly affected leaves.
Root and stem rots	disease	Sudden wilting, yellowing and rotting at the stem base, often in waterlogged spots.	Grow on raised beds or well-drained soils and avoid overwatering or standing water.

System	Typical	Min	Max	Notes
Backyard / low-input Jute mallow (mrenda/mto)	7	4	10	Some manure, little fertilizer, irregular picking and basic pest control.
Open-field Jute mallow, improved management	12	8	16	Good spacing, regular weeding, recommended fertilizer and frequent harvests.
Irrigated or high-input Jute mallow (mrenda/mto)	18	12	25	Irrigation, fertigation and careful pest and disease control with repeated cuts.

Country	Region	Planting	Harvest
KE	Lowland and mid-altitude Jute mallow (mrenda/mto) zones	Rainy seasons or with supplementary irrigation	4–8 weeks after emergence with repeated pickings.
KE	Peri-urban irrigated vegetable belts	Most of the year with reliable water	Continuous harvest over several weeks.
TZ	Coastal and mid-altitude vegetable zones	Warm, wet periods and under irrigation	Multiple cuttings starting around 5–7 weeks after sowing.

Country	Region	Suitability
KE	Lowland and mid-altitude smallholder vegetable zones	High
KE	Peri-urban homestead and irrigation schemes	High
TZ	Coastal and lake basin Jute mallow (mrenda/mto) areas	High
UG	Warm lowland and mid-altitude vegetable zones	High