Author(s): Anusha Sanjay Revankar, SS Inamati, Nayana MD, Dattappa and Anjan Kumar R

Abstract: Myristica dactyloides belongs to the Myristicaceae family, it is one of the non-swampy tree species commonly known as “False nutmeg or Jaikai or wild nutmeg or Gidda Ramapatr”. It serves the livelihood of local people living around the forest areas. Fruit and seed characteristics play an important role in seed germination and seedling growth. Variation in fruit and seed characteristics and germination behavior of a species is helpful in selecting the good quality seeds. Hence, the present study was carried out with the objective to study the fruit morphometric traits with respect to stages of fruit maturity of Myristica dactyloides. The fruits were collected from Heggarni village of Janmane Forest Range of Sirsi Division and its morphometric traits viz., fruit length, fruit diameter, seed length, seed diameter, fresh weight (rind, seed and aril) and dry weight (rind, seed and aril) were assessed at College of Forestry, Sirsi. The results have shown that there is a decline in seed moisture content from T₁ (creamy white aril) to T₄ (red aril collection stage) due to desiccation and dry matter accumulation in fruit and seed. Higher fruit and seed parameters are noticed from initial to final stage of collection. It can be concluded from the study that the final stage (T₄- red aril) is the best stage for collection for higher biomass and superior quality of aril for commercialization.

DOI: 10.33545/26174693.2024.v8.i4h.1028