Custard apple (Annona reticulata) is one of the best fruits from tropical America that were imported to India. It is referred to as a dry area delicacy due to its extremely sweet and delicate flesh. In various regions of India, it can also be found in wild form. In addition to Tamil Nadu, it is grown in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Bihar, Odisha, and Assam. It is also typical in China, the Philippines, Egypt, and Central Africa.
Importance:
It is quite resilient, has a medium growth rate, and is a deciduous plant. While certain goods or mixed fruits, such as custard powders and ice creams, are manufactured from the fruits, they are often used as fresh. It has significant therapeutic benefits in addition to excellent nutritional value. The use of unripe fruits, seeds, leaves, and roots in medical formulations is thought to be beneficial.
Custard Apple Cultivation Guide
Climate:
All sugar apples are of tropical origin and thrive in hot, dry climates, but to varying degrees. A hot, dry temperature is necessary for Custard Apple flowering, while high humidity is necessary for fruit set. While fruit setting happens at the beginning of the monsoon, flowering occurs in the hot, dry weather of May. For pollination and fertilization, low humidity is detrimental.
Soil:
The fruit tolerates a wide range of soil types, including shallow sandy soils, and does well in them all. However, if the subsoil is poorly drained, it cannot thrive. Deep black soils can support their growth if they are well drained. It is unaffected by a little salinity or acidity, but alkalinity, chlorine, poor drainage, or swampy, wet areas prevent it from growing and bearing fruit.
Varieties:
The following are a few of the kinds that are cultivated in the nation's various agro-climatic areas.
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Red Sitaphal
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Balanagar
Hybrid
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Washington
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Purandhar (Pune)
Propagation:
Seeds are the most popular method used to grow custard apples. Researchers have recently created various ways for vegetative procedures and budding that can be used for multiplication. Local custard apple seedlings have shown to be a suitable root material for several improved kinds and hybrids. 100 ppm for 24 hours causes seeds to germinate swiftly and consistently.
Planting and Season:
Planting takes place in the wetter months. Prior to monsoon, 60x60x60 cm pits are excavated at spacings of 4x4, 5x5, or 6x6, depending on the soil type, and filled with high-quality FYM, single super phosphate, and neem or Karanj cake. Drizzle irrigation system planting at 6x4 meters has resulted in strong growth and improved fruit setting.
Interculture:
Weeding is necessary to keep unwanted plants out to promote healthy plant development. The gardeners frequently take advantage of intercropping with certain legumes, peas, beans, and marigold flowers. Since the plant slumber throughout the winter, no produce is often harvested.
Maintenance Young Orchard:
As soon as feasible, fix the gaps. If planting is done on impervious or poorly drained soils, water stagnation during the first monsoon should be addressed.
Special Horticultural Techniques:
The following growth regulators are used to ensure uniform blooming, promote early flowering, monitor flower, and fruit drop, and increase fruit size.
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One month after the fruit harvest, 1000 ppm of Ethryl is sprayed on the plants to defoliate them and put them into uniform repose.
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Improved and earlier blooming Just before blossoming, 1 ml of biocil is sprinkled per liter of water.
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To decrease flower and fruit drop, 10 to 20 ppm NAA is sprayed soon before blooming.
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Foliar spraying of GA increases fruit size and luster of the fruit.
Irrigation:
Custard apples are typically cultivated as a rainfed crop without irrigation. However, the crop was harvested early and in plenty. Until the normal monsoon begins, irrigation should be provided during blooming, which is in Can. Mist sprinkling is preferable to flood or drip watering for improved blooming and fruit establishment because it maintains a cooler temperature and increases relative humidity.
Nutrition:
As a rainfed crop, it requires fewer manures or fertilizers. However, a fully developed tree is advised to get a proper dose for an early, bountiful harvest with high keeping quality.
Plant Protection:
Despite the crop's hardiness, it is susceptible to the following pests and diseases:
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Mealy bug
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Scale insect
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Fruit boring caterpillar
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Leaf spot
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Anthracnose
Harvesting and yield:
The Custard apple is a climacteric fruit, and it is picked when it is in its mature stage, just as the fruit's color begins to shift from green to its distinctive hue. Fruits that are not mature ripen not. Mature status can also be determined by swallowing a few apical buds and seeing the inside pulp. A tree that was cultivated produces around 100 fruits that each weigh between 300 and 400 g. The harvest season runs from August until October.
Post-harvest Management:
The fruits are not as resilient to handling after ripening as they cannot withstand cold storage. Firm, ripe fruits can be maintained at 6 degrees centigrade for approximately a week, although they lose part of their flavor, perfume, and appearance.
