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

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).