Development of high yielding nutmeg geno types

Mr. Ciby is credited with the development of 12 unique High Yielding types of nutmeg. Mr. Ciby has been closely observing the 1200 odd nutmeg trees in his plantation for nearly 25 years since he started nutmeg farming. He has been closely evaluating the nutmeg trees based on their yield, mace seed and fruit characteristics and flowering behavior. This has resulted in the identification of 12 superior types of nutmeg in terms of yield as well as fruit and tree characteristics. These selections named as Kallingal 1to 12 ( K 1 to K 12) are widely accepted by farmers not only in  Kerala but also in other south Indian states like Tamil Nadu and Karanataka and in some parts of Konkan and Goa, resulting in substantial improvement in productivity.

The characteristics of Kallingal types are given below

TypeCharacters
KALLINGAL – 1Tall, Good Spread, Normal Nut, Full Mace, Year Round Yield (Approximately above 4000 nuts/year)90 – 100 nuts/kg      3.5 gram/mace
KALLINGAL – 2Tall, Good Spread, Big Nut & Mace,  Year Round Yield (Approximately above 5000 nuts/year)80 – 90 nuts/kg      2.5 gram/mace
KALLINGAL – 3Normal Height, Spread, Big Nut & Mace, Year Round Yield(Approximately above 3000 nuts/year)
KALLINGAL – 4Double Seeded, Short Statured
KALLINGAL – 5Short, Good Spread, Very Big Nut & Mace, High Yield50 – 60 nuts/kg      2.5 gram/mace
KALLINGAL – 6Normal Height spread, Small Nut with less mace.  High Yield
KALLINGAL – 7Tall, Short branches, Normal Nut & Mace. High Yield
KALLINGAL – 8Long Oval fruit with Normal Nut & Mace. High Yield, Short Statured
KALLINGAL – 9Male and Female flowers
KALLINGAL – 10Candle flame spread architecture
KALLINGAL – 11Wild Variety
KALLINGAL – 12Tall, Less Spread, Normal Nut & Mace

The planting material of these varieties were shared with the Kerala Agricultural University for evaluation and characterization, which further proved the superiority of these varieties. These types are also multiplied and sold to farmers in his nursery.