Mace variety · Released variety
IISR Keralashree
Also known as Keralasree, IC-537218 elite
ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Kozhikode, Kerala; selected from Burliar, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu germplasm · ICAR-IISR (farmer participatory breeding) · 2013
First nutmeg variety developed through farmers' participatory breeding. Mace and nut oils rich in sabinene and myrcene (for delicate aroma) with intentionally low myristicin and elemicin. Bold nut, thick and entire mace that fully covers seed.
Key facts
| Type | Released variety |
|---|---|
| Origin | ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Kozhikode, Kerala; selected from Burliar, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu germplasm |
| Breeder / source | ICAR-IISR (farmer participatory breeding) |
| Year released | 2013 |
| Parentage | Open-pollinated seedling selection from elite mother tree (IC-537218) from Burliar zone, Nilgiris; participatory varietal selection with farmer involvement |
| Yield | Reported around 7560 kg dry nut and 1512 kg mace/ha by tenth year from 360 grafts per hectare; mace yield per graft at 10th year approximately 4.2 kg |
| Tolerance | Resistant to major pests and diseases; thrives in Kerala's high-humidity, warm conditions; low disease incidence from Diplodia spp. |
| Distinctive features | Bold brownish-black nut with thick entire dark red aril fully covering seed. Oblong yellow fruits. Pure female, flowers prolifically. Nut recovery 70%; oil rich in sabinene (35.4% in nut oil), myrcene, with butter content 24.9%. Preferred for quality mace with milder, refined flavour profile. |
| Grown in | Kerala (Thrissur, Ernakulam, Kottayam), Tamil Nadu, all nutmeg-growing regions; wide adaptability |
| Also known as | Keralasree, IC-537218 elite |
Figures are indicative, compiled from public agricultural sources (ICAR institutes, State Agricultural Universities, the Spices Board and the National Innovation Foundation) and vary with soil, season and management. Confirm with your local package of practices.
IISR Keralashree in detail
First nutmeg variety developed through farmers' participatory selection, Keralashree offers bold nuts with thick, entire mace and a flavour profile shaped by high sabinene and myrcene with low myristicin.
Origin & story
Selected from seedlings raised from an elite mother tree at Burliar, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, IC-537218 was developed by ICAR-IISR and released in 2013 as the first nutmeg variety bred through a farmers' participatory programme.
How it grows
First flowering occurs about 4 years after grafting. The tree flowers prolifically and produces oblong yellow fruits. By the 10th year each graft yields around 2,000 fruits. At a stand of 360 grafts per hectare, year 8 yields about 3,122 kg nut and 480 kg mace per hectare, and the potential yield at year 25 is around 31,220 kg nut and 4,800 kg mace per hectare. Shows low susceptibility to Diplodia fruit rot.
Quality & character
Bold brownish-black nut with a thick, entire dark-red aril fully covering the seed. Oblong yellow fruit. Pure female tree. Nut oil 5.9%, mace oil 7.5%, butter content 24.9% in nuts. The oils are rich in sabinene (35.4% in nut oil) and myrcene with intentionally low myristicin (1.6% in nut, 9.4% in mace oil) and elemicin, giving a milder, more refined flavour. Nut recovery 70%, mace recovery 35%.
Why it matters to buyers
The low-myristicin, sabinene-rich profile suits buyers seeking a milder, more delicate aroma for premium blends and fine cuisine. The thick, entire mace that fully covers the seed is valued as a quality grade for mace exports. Low incidence of Diplodia fruit rot helps reduce crop loss.
About mace
Mace—the lacy, crimson-to-gold aril wrapped around the nutmeg seed—comes from the same tree as nutmeg and matures in India where Kerala's humid coastal belt has cultivated it for centuries. Below are the principal Indian varieties and botanical types: released cultivars from ICAR institutes, farmer-bred selections gaining official recognition, and regional…
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