Nutmeg

1. Botanical Profile

  • Scientific Name: Myristica fragrans
  • Family: Myristicaceae
  • Common Names: Nutmeg, Macis (for the aril), Mace
  • Origin: Banda Islands, Indonesia (the original “Spice Islands”)
  • Growth Form: Evergreen tree, medium to large, up to 20–30 m in height
  • Lifespan: Can live 60–90 years, productive for 50+ years
  • Flowers: Small, yellowish, unisexual; male and female flowers on separate trees (dioecious)
  • Fruit: Ellipsoidal, fleshy drupe; splits at maturity to reveal a seed (nutmeg) covered by red aril (mace)

2. Climate & Soil Requirements

  • Temperature: 24–30°C optimal; sensitive to frost
  • Rainfall: 1,500–2,500 mm/year, evenly distributed
  • Humidity: Prefers high humidity (70–90%)
  • Soil: Deep, fertile, well-drained loamy soils; slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5–7)
  • Sunlight: Partial shade for young plants; full sun for mature trees

3. Propagation

  • Seed propagation:
    • Use fresh seeds from mature fruits
    • Seeds lose viability quickly; sow within 2–3 weeks after extraction
  • Grafting / Budding: Often used in commercial orchards to maintain quality and early fruiting
  • Spacing: 7–10 m between trees

4. Growth & Fruiting

  • Juvenile period: 6–8 years from seed; grafted plants may fruit in 3–4 years
  • Flowering: Seasonal; peak flowering occurs during drier months
  • Fruit maturation: ~8–9 months after flowering
  • Productive age: 15–40 years is peak yield

5. Yield

  • Nutmeg seeds: ~30–50 kg per tree per year under optimal conditions
  • Mace (aril): ~5–10 kg per tree per year
  • Harvest method: Manual picking; fruits split naturally or are plucked just before splitting

6. Cultivation Practices

  • Irrigation: Regular watering during dry season, especially young trees
  • Fertilization: NPK-rich fertilizer; organic manure improves soil health
  • Pruning: Minimal; remove dead wood and maintain crown shape
  • Pest & Disease Management:
    • Common pests: nutmeg borer (Cryptorhynchus sp.), scale insects
    • Diseases: Nutmeg leaf blight (Phomopsis sp.), fungal root rot
    • Integrated pest management recommended

7. Uses

  1. Culinary:
    • Nutmeg seeds: spice for baking, beverages, sauces, and curries
    • Mace: aromatic spice for confectionery, pickles, and meats
  2. Medicinal:
    • Nutmeg oil: carminative, digestive stimulant, anti-inflammatory
    • Traditional medicine: treats nausea, diarrhea, and insomnia
  3. Aromatherapy & Essential Oils:
    • Nutmeg essential oil extracted from seeds, used in perfumery and cosmetics
  4. Industrial:
    • Oil for flavorings, fragrances, and pharmaceuticals

8. Agroforestry & Intercropping

  • Can be grown under mixed agroforestry systems with cacao, coffee, clove, or coconut
  • Tolerates partial shade in juvenile stages
  • Enhances soil organic matter through leaf litter

9. Special Notes

  • Nutmeg is a dioecious tree → both male and female trees are needed for fruiting
  • Seed viability drops quickly → important to plant fresh seeds promptly
  • Highly valued in international spice trade; Indonesia, Grenada, and India are top producers