Dr. Diamanthi Jayatilake

Morphological, biochemical and molecular characterization of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) germplasm in Sri Lanka

The project focuses on assessing the genetic diversity and morphological and biochemical characterization of Sri Lankan nutmeg germplasm. The research team works on reconstructing the molecular phylogeny of Myristica spp. to reveal genetic relationships to its wild relatives. Recommending superior Nutmeg germplasm to be established as a seed orchard and finding a promising way to distinguish the sex of reproductively immature nutmeg plants are two key outcomes expected from this project.