What is nutmeg?

Nutmeg is a spice derived from the seed of Myristica fragrans, an evergreen tree native to the Banda Islands in Indonesia. The spice is commonly used in both sweet and savory dishes, offering a warm, aromatic flavor. It has two main forms: nutmeg (the dried seed) and mace (the reddish outer covering of the seed).

Nutmeg is often used in baking, beverages like eggnog, curries, and as a flavoring for sauces, soups, and desserts. Apart from its culinary uses, nutmeg has a long history in traditional medicine for its potential digestive, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving properties. Nutmeg is typically grated fresh or sold as a ground powder in spice jars.

The tree itself requires a tropical climate and typically grows in regions like Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, and parts of India, including Tamil Nadu, where it is now being cultivated alongside coconut trees.

Varities of nutmeg
Vishwashree, Konkan Sugandha and Konkan Swad.
Some of the elite accessions recommended by IISR are A 9-20, 22, 25, 69, 150, A 4-12, 22, 52, A11-23, 70.

Soil and climate
Friable, well drained clay to red soils is suitable. This crop can be grown up to an elevation of 1000 m with 150 - 250 cm of rainfall, humid tropical climate.

Propagation
Seeds /grafts/ budded plants. Seeds are collected from regular bearing and high yielding trees (more than 10,000 fruits per tree per year) and having 30 g weight/fruit, 1 g wet mace /fruit and 10 g wet weight of nuts / fruit. Seeds are harvested during June - July. Sown immediately after extraction in beds at a spacing of 30 cm and 2.5 - 5.0 cm deep. Germination commences from 40 days and extends up to 90 days after sowing. Transplanted to poly bags (35 x 15 cm) one year old seedlings are transplanted to bigger poly bags (35 x 20 cm). Seedlings transplanted to main field from 18 - 24 months.

Vegetative propagation

Grafting (approach method) or budding (Patch method) is recommended to perpetuate high yielding nutmeg types. Best season is from October to January. Use only orthotropic shoots as scion materials.

Season and planting
Plant 12 - 18 months old seedlings in pits of 60 cm x 60 cm x 60 cm size and filled up with equal parts of forest soil and cattle manure. Adopt spacing of 8 m x 8 m either way. Season of planting is June – December.

Growing seedlings, especially for crops like nutmeg that have a long maturation period, requires patience. Nutmeg takes several years to mature and produce fruit, so maintaining consistent care during the seedling phase is key to long-term success. Check seedlings regularly for signs of pests, diseases, or nutrient deficiencies. Treat problems promptly to avoid spreading. For certain plants, light pruning can help promote bushier growth and stronger stems.

Time to Transplant

Transplant when the seedlings are sturdy and have developed several sets of true leaves. Ensure the soil conditions are appropriate for transplanting.

Organic Manure for Nutmeg Cultivation

Organic manure helps improve soil structure, increase microbial activity, and provide a slow-release source of nutrients for the plants. Here are some commonly used organic manures in nutmeg cultivation:

• Farmyard Manure (FYM): Composed of animal waste (cows, goats, or poultry), farmyard manure is rich in nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It enhances soil fertility and improves water retention in the soil. Apply it as a base fertilizer during soil preparation, around 10–15 tons per hectare.
• Compost: Well-decomposed plant and animal matter, compost is an excellent organic fertilizer. It helps improve the soil organic content and enhances nutrient availability for plants. Incorporate about 5–10 tons per hectare annually.
• Vermicompost: Produced by earthworms breaking down organic matter, vermicompost is rich in beneficial microorganisms, improving soil health. It provides a steady release of nutrients and is excellent for nutmeg, especially in the early stages of growth.
• Green Manure: Growing cover crops like legumes (e.g., cowpea, groundnut) and plowing them into the soil can enrich it with nitrogen and organic matter. This is particularly useful for maintaining soil fertility between nutmeg planting cycles.
• Poultry Manure: This manure is high in nitrogen and phosphorus, which are crucial for healthy growth. It should be composted before use to prevent burning the plant roots. Apply in moderation, about 2-5 tons per hectare.

Application of Organic Manure

• Pre-Planting: Incorporate organic manure into the soil before planting nutmeg to improve the soils fertility. This should be done during land preparation.
• At Planting: Add a smaller amount of organic manure around the planting holes at the time of transplanting seedlings to provide immediate nutrition.
• Annual Applications: Top-dress the plants with organic manure every year, ideally during the rainy season when the plants are actively growing. This helps replenish the nutrients and improve soil quality over time.

Organic Fertilizers for Nutmeg

In addition to organic manure, you can use various organic fertilizers to supplement nutrient needs. These include:

Neem Cake: A byproduct of neem oil extraction, neem cake is rich in nitrogen and also acts as a natural pesticide, deterring soil-borne pests and nematodes.

Bone Meal: Bone meal is an excellent source of phosphorus and calcium, essential for root development and fruiting. It should be applied during planting or as a top dressing every 6-12 months.

Application of Organic Fertilizers

• During Planting: Incorporate organic fertilizers like bone meal or fish meal into the soil when planting the nutmeg seedlings to provide essential nutrients right from the start.
• Throughout the Growth Cycle: Top-dress with organic fertilizers like neem cake or fish meal annually. Fertilizing during the growing season (especially in the early stages of growth) ensures that the plants receive the necessary nutrients to develop strong roots, stems, and healthy foliage.
• Foliar Feeding: Seaweed extract or diluted fish emulsion can be applied as a foliar spray during the growing season to boost nutrient absorption and improve plant health.

Precautions When Using Organic Fertilizers

• Balanced Application: While organic fertilizers are beneficial, overuse can lead to nutrient imbalances. Ensure you apply them in moderation based on soil test results.
• Composting: Always compost raw animal manure before use to prevent burning the plants and to reduce the risk of introducing pathogens.
• Soil Testing: Periodically test the soil to determine its nutrient profile and adjust organic fertilizer applications accordingly. This helps to avoid excess application of certain nutrients, such as nitrogen.

Pests and Diseases in nutmeg cultivation

The hard scale saissetia nigra occurs on the pencil thick branches & desaps the tissue. The infected shoots invariably develop sooty mould cover. It can be controlled by spot spraying with quinalphos 0.025%.

Pests:

1. Nutmeg Weevil: Destroys fruit and seeds. Control through removal of infected fruits, neem oil, and trap cropping.
2. Nutmeg Mite: Damages leaves and shoots. Manage with natural predators (e.g., ladybugs), neem oil, and water sprays.
3. Coconut Scale Insect: Weakens trees by sucking sap. Control by manual removal, insecticidal soap, and pruning.
4. Whitefly: Causes yellowing and transmits viruses. Use insecticidal soap, sticky traps, and natural predators.
5. Termites: Damage roots and weaken trees. Use soil treatments and physical barriers.

Other Diseases includes: Wilt Disease (Fusarium Wilt, Leaf Spot Disease, Anthracnose, Root Rot, Powdery Mildew.

Harvesting and Post-Harvesting in Nutmeg Cultivation

Nutmeg fruits are harvested when they ripen, typically 8–9 months after flowering. The outer husk turns yellow or red, and the fruit starts to split. Harvesting should be done carefully to avoid damaging the plant, usually by handpicking. Fruits are handpicked or collected from the ground after falling. Harvested fruits should be handled gently to prevent bruising or injury to the seed.

Post-Harvest

After harvesting, remove the outer skin and the mace (the red aril covering the seed). The seeds are dried in the sun for 8–12 days until they reach 10–12% moisture content. Proper drying is crucial to avoid mold and spoilage. Mace is dried separately and should be spread out to maintain its red color.  Store the dried nutmeg seeds in a cool, dry place. They can be kept for long periods if stored properly. Store dried mace in airtight containers to preserve its flavor and aroma.

Quality Control

Ensure that seeds and mace are free from mold, pests, or damage. Proper drying and storage are essential for maintaining high-quality nutmeg.

Yield in nutmeg cultivation

Nutmeg trees begin producing fruit around 7-9 years after planting, with full production starting at 15-20 years. Annual Yield for young trees (7-10 years) will be 2-3 kg of dried nutmeg. Mature trees (15+ years): 10-20 kg of dried nutmeg per tree. Typically 100-300 kg of dried nutmeg per hectare annually, with high-performing farms reaching 500-600 kg per hectare.

In conclusion, nutmeg yields improve with tree age and proper management, making it a productive crop after reaching maturity around 15-20 years.

Vijaykumar, an former IT specialist, joined hands with his grandfather farming nutmeg eight years back.

Visit the link below to know how this IT specialist was educated on precision farming to yield more revenue.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLqKPRPODBs

Disclaimer:

The information provided here has been collected from online sources. Please be advised that changes may occur in the references when these details are analyzed for future videos.

Edited by Gayathri