The improvement of grafting success of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Hout.) by hooding and fogging

Abstract

An effort to solve sex-determining problems in nutmeg cultivation is using shoot grafted seeds of known sex parental tree through epicotyl grafting. However, constraint in nutmeg grafting has a relatively high grafted shoot mortality rate due to suboptimal microclimates. Therefore, the study aimed to increase grafted-nutmeg seeds’ viability and plant vigor in the field through micro-clipping and microclimate optimization. The experiment was arranged in a Randomized Block Design, factorial pattern, repeated three times. The first factor was the origin of the scion (Bogor and South Lampung), the second factor was the way of seeds hooding (individual plastic hood; mass hood; individual + mass hood), and the third factor was watering (without fogging and fogging). The results showed that the highest success rate of grafting before separation was obtained using scions from Bogor, which were covered massively without being fogged (85.71%) and being fogged (82.74%). Further, the success rate of grafting after separation was obtained using scion from Bogor, which were covered up massively without being fogged (83.33%) and fogged (79.76%). Therefore, epicotyl grafting in nutmeg can be massively covered either without fogging or fogging. This circumstance implied that epicotyl grafting can increase the availability of nutmeg seeds.