Variability in Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) under High Rainfall and High Altitude Kodagu Region of Karnataka

The vegetative, fruit, seed and mace characters of 23 accessions of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) were studied for variability at Indian Institute of Spices Research, Cardamom Research Centre, Appangala, Karnataka. Accessions exhibited wide range of variability for different characters studied. Maximum variability was recorded for fresh seed yield per tree and minimum variability was recorded for the leaf and seed characters. Medium to high variability was recorded for mace characters. Among the 23 accessions studied, the maximum fresh seed weight (16.5 g) was recorded in IC548880, the other promising accessions for different economic characters were IC548896 for dry seed weight (10 g/fruit), IC 548921 for dry seed yield (9.2 kg/tree), IC 548892 for dry mace weight of a fruit (2.1 g/fruit) and IC548928 for dry mace weight of a tree (1,045g/tree).