Variability in Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) under High Rainfall and High Altitude Kodagu Region of Karnataka

Abstract

The vegetative, fruit, seed and mace characters of 23 accessions of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) were studied
for variability at Indian Institute of Spices Research, Cardamom Research Centre, Appangala, Karnataka. Accessions
exhibited wide range of variability for different characters studied. Maximum variability was recorded for fresh
seed yield per tree and minimum variability was recorded for the leaf and seed characters. Medium to high variability
was recorded for mace characters. Among the 23 accessions studied, the maximum fresh seed weight (16.5 g) was
recorded in IC548880, the other promising accessions for different economic characters were IC548896 for dry
seed weight (10 g/fruit), IC548921 for dry seed yield (9.2 kg/tree), IC548892 for dry mace weight of a fruit (2.1
g/fruit) and IC548928 for dry mace weight of a tree (1,045g/tree).