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Retting is the process that involves the action of the microorganisms and moisture on plants to dissolve or rot away the cellular tissues so that it facilitates the separation of the fibre from the stem. This is mostly used in the jute to separate the fibres from the woody tissues.

The traditional methods of retting involve the soaking of the stem in water and dew and exposing the stem to moisture for 14 to 28 days. This will allow the stem to soften by the action of the microorganisms and the moisture content and helps the extraction of the fibre from the barks. But it is a labour intensive method involving long duration and requiring large quantities of fresh water. The developments in technology have led to the introduction of many modern means of separating the fibre through heat, chemicals, and enzymatic treatments.