Nutmeg varieties

ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode, Kerala · ICAR-IISR · 2001

Bold, heavy seeds with thick, well-developed whole mace; consistent yields and good oil recovery. Compact canopy, dark red mace, and low fruit rot incidence.

ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode, Kerala · ICAR-IISR; farmer-participatory selection · 2013

First nutmeg variety developed through farmer-participatory breeding; high-yielding clonal selection with bold nuts and thick, entire mace. Rich in sabinene and myrcene with low myristicin and elemicin; early and consistent bearing.

Idukki district, Kerala; developed by farmer Varkey Thoman · Varkey Thoman (farmer-breeder) · 1994

Extra-large nutmegs (4.5 cm long × 3 cm wide); high yield with low fruit breakage; pest tolerant. Tested and validated by IISR, KAU, and NIF; recipients of 8th National Innovation Foundation Award (2015).

Kerala (Thrissur, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam districts) · Farmer-maintained; no formal institution; centuries of homestead selection

Locally adapted to Western Ghats humidity and shade conditions; hardy and long-lived; variable mace thickness and colour; no formal registration

Kerala and Tamil Nadu nutmeg-growing areas; IISR and KAU nurseries · Commercial and institutional nurseries; propagated from elite female trees

Guaranteed female / hermaphrodite bearing plants; uniform, predictable yields and quality; faster onset of bearing (4–5 years vs 8–10 for seedlings); canopy control through grafting height

From seed of existing trees throughout Kerala and Western Ghats · Farmer-maintained; traditionally raised in-situ or in nursery beds

Cheapest propagation method; locally hardy; long productive life (40+ years); variable but often adequate nutmeg quality

Sporadic occurrence in Kerala homesteads and commercial plantings · Natural occurrence in Myristica fragrans; selected when identified

Self-fertile trees; eliminates need for separate male pollinators; single tree can set fruit. Approximately 5% of seed-raised populations; valuable in breeding programmes.

Thrissur district, Kerala; traditional homestead adaptation · Farmer-maintained landraces; centuries of homestead selection in Thrissur soil and climate

Suited to Thrissur's climate and lateritic soils; moderate nutmeg size; variable mace quality; adapted to mixed homestead shade systems

Ernakulam district, Kerala; traditional homestead cultivation · Farmer-maintained; no formal institution; homestead selection over generations

Suited to Ernakulam's climate and coconut-arecanut-nutmeg mixed gardens; variable but often bold nuts in good soils; mace quality inconsistent

Idukki district, Kerala; high-range (600–900 m elevation) homestead gardens · Farmer-maintained; traditional high-range selection

Tolerates Idukki's cooler temperatures and high rainfall; often produces good-quality, bold nuts; whole mace development tends to be superior

Native to Banda Islands, Maluku, Indonesia; now cultivated throughout tropical regions including Kerala, India · Natural species; no formal breeder; cultivation via selection and grafting within the species

The true nutmeg of commerce; distinguished from false nutmeg (Myristica malabarica, Bombay nutmeg, rampatri) and other substitutes; superior aroma and oil recovery