Annona Species Monograph.pdf - Crops for the Future

Chapter 13. Conclusions
fruits of poor quality and lower prices in the market, a disincentive to both
growers and consumers. Prices of annona fruits vary according to supply and
demand, and small farmers sell their fruits mostly into simplified market
channels in which low quality and price are demanded, resulting in low
profits. In Brazil, fruit growers must pay high export taxes, representing up to
25% of the product's free on board (FOB) price, which negatively influences
competitiveness in world markets.
Consumption habits are important social factors restricting expansion of
annonas in various parts of the world. Cherimoya is not known by people
living in many tropical regions of the world, although it can be found on
supermarket shelves of big cities. Soursop and sugar apple are similarly
poorly or unknown in temperate countries. Although wild soursop adapts
very well to different altitudes and climate conditions, its presence is
essentially restricted to Africa and its potential for expanded use beyond that
continent is currently unknown.
The following section highlights those aspects which require development to
allow utilisation of Annona species to their fullest potential for improvement
of grower livelihoods, both at small and large scale. Adequate training in the
growing, processing and marketing of Annona species is urgently needed.
13.1 Research requirements and technology
transfer
The most important research requirements are listed below, although
priorities will surely vary among institutions and countries that study and
cultivate annonas.
13.1.1 Genetic resources and genetic improvement
a) Conservation of Annona germplasm is important to avoid excessive
genetic erosion. Loss of diversity among traditional farmers is likely because
the economic environment of the farm household strongly influences the
extent of the diversity maintained on farm. Conservation of genetic resources
should be carried out both in situ and ex situ. Developing a conservation
strategy for the various Annona genepools also requires enhanced basic
research on the species relationships and the patterns of variation within the
genepools (the use of DNA markers is a particularly useful tool for this).
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