Nutmeg
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Introduction
Nutmeg (Myristica Fragrans)
Family - Myristicaceae
 Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) is a native of Moluccas in East Indonesia and is
reported to have been introduced into Sri Lanka in the beginning of nineteenth
century. It is a spreading evergreen, tree 15-20m. high. The leaves are
alternate, dark green, pinnatinerved. Flowers are generally unisexual and
dioecious. However, bisexual flowers of varying sexual composition are also met
with. Occasional trees with male and female flowers are also seen in the
plantations. Fruits are fleshy drupes, broadly pyriform, drooping. with a
circumferential longitudinal ridge. When ripe, it turns yellow and the pericarp
splits into 2 halves exposing purplish-brown, shiny seed surrounded by a net
like red aril. Indonesia, Grenada, Sri Lanka, Trinidad, China and India are the
major countries producing nutmeg and mace. The world trade of these two spices
are in the range of 8,000-10,000 metric tones.
Nutmeg tree yield two spices, nutmeg, which is the kernel of the seed and mace,
which is the net-like crimson colored leathery out growth (aril) covering the
shell of the seed.
Cultivation
Agronomic Requirements for cultivation
Deep, well drained, loam and sandy clay loam soils rich in organic matter are
preferable. Soils with high water-table or liable to water logging are
unsuitable.
Where rainfall is well distributed 1,500-2,500 mm is sufficient. In areas with a
pronounced dry spell or sandy soils, the annual rainfall should be higher. The
annual average temperature should be 20-30°C without much seasonal or diurnal
variation. Persistent strong winds are harmful. Sheltered valleys and leeward
slopes are therefore the best situations for growing nutmeg.
Shade is essential during the first 2-3 years of growth. Thereafter full
exposure to light is beneficial. It can be grown at elevation up to about 600m
in the wet zone
Recommended Varieties
In Sri Lanka there are no special varieties of nutmeg. However, as usual method
of propagation is by seeds, and these seeds should be taken from selected mother
trees, for high yields, large nuts and heavy mace. Seeds have to be sown as soon
as possible since viability is lost in 8 to 10 days.
Field Planting and Spacing
The seedlings are field planted at the beginning of the rainy season. In
Nutmeg, there are separate male and female trees but the sex of the trees can be
identified only after flowering. In general, about 50% of seedlings will be
males. Therefore, the initial spacing may be about 6 m x 6 m and after
flowering, they may be thinned out. Male trees do not fruit but are essential
for pollination, for which 1 male to 10 female trees is adequate.
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