FARMER'S NOTEBOOK
Nutmeg graft: an ideal intercrop
M.J. PRABU
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About 1,000 fruits can be harvested from the eighth year of planting
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The shrub variety is an ideal intercrop for coconut and arecanut gardens
COMMERCIAL VARIETY: The fruit is yellow in colour and contains two spices, namely, nutmeg and mace. Inset: Split fruits with the aril exposed. — Photo: IISR
A NEW, high yielding nutmeg graft (Myristica fragrans) with compact and bushyfoliage, known as Jathikkai in Tamil and Malayalam, Zaiphal in Hindi and Jaikaaya in Telugu, has been developed at the Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Kozhikkode, Kerala.
Named `IISR Viswashree,' the shrub variety is an ideal intercrop for coconut and arecanut gardens and is popular among nutmeg growers in southern regions such as Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
It is also suitable for cultivation in Maharashtra, Orissa, West Bengal, and north Eastern states of India besides Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, according to B. Krishnamoorthy, Head, Crop Improvement Division, IISR and his team of scientists.
Clonal selection
The improved variety is a clonal selection from the germplasm of several other trees, according to the scientists. The shrubs grow to height of three-five feet and are short and bushy.
Commercial harvesting of fruits can be done from the eighth year, yields being about 1,000 fruits per graft.
The fruit is apricot shaped, yellow in colour and contains two spices, namely, nutmeg (dried seed) and mace (reddish mat-like structure covering the seed) enclosed within it. Matured fruits split naturally on the trees exposing the aril. The fruits are plucked and the seeds and aril are manually separated.
The seeds are dark brown or black in colour and can be sown immediately after plucking. About 400 grafts are required for planting in one hectare with a spacing 5 x 5 m.
Ideal season
The monsoon season is ideal for planting the grafts in the main field. Before the first showers, pits of 75 cubic cm are dug and filled with sand, soil and watered. During early stages, banana trees can be planted at the rate of three plants around each pit, as the crop requires shade for growth, and irrigated thrice a week.
Pest resistant
Irrigation may be slowly extended to alternate days as the crop matures. Though the variety is resistant to major pests, fruit rot infestation has been observed in some areas.
Spraying one percent bordeaux mixture during October-November, can help control the spread, according to the scientists.
The high myristicin content found in the nutmeg and mace was found effective in the treatment of cancer, according to the scientists.
As there is a good demand for the produce in both domestic and international markets. Grafts are priced at Rs 80 per plant.
For more information, readers may contact the Head, Division of Crop Improvement, Indian Institute of Spices Research, Marikunnu, P.O, Kozhikkode - 673 012 Kerala, Phone: 0495 2731410 (ext) 200.
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