Seed viability and growth of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans houtt.)

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue I, January 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

Seed viability and growth of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans houtt.)

Adrianton*, Zainuddin, Mahfudz, Bahrudin
Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Tadulako University, Palu, Central Sulawesi Indonesia.
*Corresponding author

Abstract: The development of large-scale nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) Is primarily determined by the availability of quality seeds. Testing for viability and seedling growth can produce quality seeds for commercial plant development. This study aimed to obtain the best seed viability and growth of nutmeg from various seed origins. The research was conducted from November 2019 to May 2020 in Kasimbar Barat Village, Kasimbar District, Parigi Moutong Regency, Central Sulawesi Province, through the seed viability test nutmeg seed growth tests. The seed viability test used a completely randomized design (CRD) with one factor of seed origin from four districts: S1: Tolitoli seed origin, S2: Morowali seed origin, S3: Parigi Moutong seed origin and S4: Donggala seed origin. The seedling growth test used a different plot design (TPT) with the main plot of nutmeg seed S1: Tolitoli seed origin, S2: Morowali seed origin, S3: Parigi Moutong seed origin, S4: Donggala seed origin and subplot growth media M1: soil mixture and organic matter, M2: soil, M3: organic matter. The results showed that the nutmeg seeds from Parigi Moutong Regency had high viability with a percentage of the water content of 49.09% and a percentage of germination capacity of 95.55%. The best growth of nutmeg seedlings with the highest vigor index was from Parigi Moutong Regency’s seeds using a growing medium of mixed soil and organic matter with a composition (1: 1).

Keywords: Viability of seeds and growth of nutmeg seeds.

I. INTRODUCTION

The nutmeg plant (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) Originates from the Maluku islands, chiefly Banda Island (Marzuki et al., 2008), play a significant role in people’s economy in various regions, especially those in the eastern Indonesia region (Rodianawati et al., 2015). Apart from being the largest nutmeg producer globally, Indonesia is the largest supplier of nutmeg needs with a market share of 60-75% (Hasibuan et al., 2010). Other producing countries are Grenada at 20-25%, followed by India, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia (Sunanto et al., 2000).
Nutmeg is known as a spice with economic value and is multipurpose(Członka et al., 2020; Kiani et al., 2019). Nutmeg produces three products of high economic value, namely seeds, mace, and nutmeg. These three products have essential oils that can be used as raw materials for the beverage, medicine, and cosmetic industries. The essential oil from a mace is a food flavoring and food preservative(Burt, 2004; Holley & Patel, 2005).

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