Nutmeg Cultivation: Grow Viswasree and Keralashree Varieties for Higher Yields and Quality

Nutmeg cultivation in India has seen significant progress with the development of two superior varieties—Viswasree and Keralashree—by the ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research. These varieties represent a major advancement in spice farming, offering enhanced yield potential, improved quality traits, and strong adaptability to the climatic and soil conditions of Kerala, one of the country’s primary nutmeg-producing regions. Their introduction marks a shift towards more sustainable and profitable nutmeg cultivation for farmers.

Viswasree: A High-Yield Performer

Viswasree is derived through clonal selection, meticulously chosen from elite, high-performing nutmeg trees. It thrives in all nutmeg-growing regions of Kerala and begins bearing fruit 6 years after planting. By its eighth year, it delivers impressive yields of 480 kg mace per hectare and 3122 kg nuts per hectare, with potential yields skyrocketing to 4800 kg mace per hectare and 31,220 kg nuts per hectare by the 25th year.

Its quality attributes are noteworthy, with high percentages of nut oil (7.14%), mace oil (7.13%), and oleoresin (13.8%). The variety also boasts significant levels of myristicin and elemicin in both nut and mace oils, highlighting its enhanced flavor profile and aroma.

Additional Information:

• Morphological Traits:  Viswasree trees are compact with bushy canopies, measuring 3–5 meters in height, with a trunk girth of 45 cm (within 9 years).

• Fruit and Seed Features: The dark red mace and bold, shiny black seeds offering high market value.

• Pest and Disease Resistance: It requires minimal intervention against pests and diseases, showing resilience to fruit rot caused by Diplodia spp.

Keralashree: Revolutionizing Nutmeg Farming

Keralashree holds the distinction of being the first nutmeg variety developed through farmers' participatory breeding. It originated from a seedling selection process involving an elite mother tree from Burliar, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu. Like Viswasree, Keralashree is well-suited to Kerala’s nutmeg-growing regions and begins flowering just four years after planting.

The variety is celebrated for its bold nuts and thick, entire mace. By its tenth year, it can yield approximately 7560 kg dry nuts and 1512 kg mace per hectare from 360 grafts. Its mace and nut oils are rich in sabinene and myrcene, contributing to a unique aroma, while maintaining low levels of myristicin and elemicin.

Additional Information:

• Early Flowering: Begins flowering 4 years after planting, marked by profuse flowering patterns. Keralashree trees exhibit this characteristic, ensuring early and abundant nutmeg production.
  

• Fruit and Seed Characteristics: The trees produce elongated, oblong fruits with bold seeds. The nuts have thick, entire, dark red mace. Fresh fruits weigh between 75–100 g, and fresh seeds weigh around 13-16 g.
  

• Wide Adaptability: Keralashree performs consistently well across various growing conditions, ensuring stable yields. Its adaptability reflects a successful collaboration between scientists and farmers to develop a nutmeg variety tailored for maximum productivity and quality.
  

• Pest and Disease Resistance: Like Viswasree, Keralashree has low susceptibility to fruit rot caused by Diplodia spp., further enhancing its resilience and making it an excellent choice for cultivation.

Comparative Analysis of Quality Attributes in Keralashree & Viswasree Nutmeg Varieties

Viswasree outperforms Keralashree in terms of chemical properties, showcasing significantly higher levels of myristicin and elemicin in both nut and mace oil, along with a greater oleoresin content in mace. While both varieties have identical nut and mace recovery rates.

Benefits of Viswasree & Keralashree Varieties:

• Sustainability: Both Viswasree and Keralashree are environmentally resilient, requiring minimal pesticide use and offering consistent yields.

• Economic Growth: High-yield varieties enable farmers to maximize profits, making nutmeg cultivation a lucrative venture.

• Global Competitiveness: The exceptional quality of these varieties positions Indian nutmeg strongly in international markets.

• Scientific Collaboration: The development of these varieties reflects the successful integration of scientific research and farmer participation.

Viswasree and Keralashree have transformed nutmeg cultivation by offering farmers high-yielding and disease-resistant options. These ICAR-IISR-developed varieties not only boost yields but also deliver premium-quality nutmeg, improving spice farming in India. By adopting these varieties, farmers can look forward to enhanced productivity, high returns, and improved quality, which caters to both local and international markets.