Annona Species Monograph.pdf - Crops for the Future

Chapter 10. Agronomy
Figure 10-3. A sketch (side view) of an irrigated nursery for production
of grafted soursop and sugar apple trees showing the cement block
supports, wires, micro-sprinklers and organization of plastic bags, their
distances and characteristics
The success of each method varies according to the species grown (Table 10-
2) and, in addition, rootstock and scion compatibility has a major influence
on the success of vegetative propagation methods among annona species
(Table 10-3). Although some species of annonas, such as soursop, can
successfully be propagated by cuttings, most are difficult to strike, especially
cherimoya. Cuttings of custard apple and sugar apple succeed only with
specific cultivars. The experience of the grafter also has a significant
influence on the success of the propagation procedure. It should be noted that
wild soursop has not been tested in grafting experiments.
Table 10-2. Seed and vegetative propagation methods, commercial
recommendations and success for different Annona species *
Method
Annona Species
Cherimoya Custard Soursop Sugar Apple
Apple
Genetically Highly Variable Uniform Low variability
(seedling)
variable
Commercial Use Not
As
High; also as Regular to good
(seedling)
recommended rootstock rootstock
Stem and tip
cuttings
< 25% Unknown Successful Some cultivars
only
Root cuttings Not
Unknown Successful < 5%
successful
Layering Unknown Unknown Unknown High if modified
technique is used
Air layering < 5% Unknown Unknown < 8.3%
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