What is retting and how is it useful?
Answers
Retting is a process employing the action of micro-organisms and moisture on plants to dissolve or rot away much of the cellular tissues and pectins surrounding bast-fibre bundles, and so facilitating separation of the fibre from the stem.It is used in the production of fibre from plant materials such as flax and hemp stalks and coir from coconut husks.[citation needed]
Answer:
Retting is a fibre separation process, where fibrous plants are acted upon by micro-organisms and moisture, to rot away the hard cellular tissues and gummy pectin that surround the bast-fibre bundles and facilitate easy separation of fibre from the stems. It is retted with water or dew. The retted stalks are later dried to separate the fibre. Retting is used to produce fibre from plants like jute, flax, hemp stalks, and also coil from coconut husks. The short and long fibres obtained after retting are used widely to manufacture paper, ropes, and wallboards.