The Sugar Apple (Annona squamosa L.

) or Atis in Filipino is a small deciduous tree

that reaches a height of about 15 to 20 ft (4.6-6.1 m) and spread. Sugar apples are a
common fruit tree in the home landscape throughout the tropics. Its leaves are
dull, pale green, hairy when young but smooth at maturity, thin, lanceolate to
oblong lanceolate, and 2.5 to 4 inches long (6.4-10.2 cm).

Sugar apple trees produce flowers on -1 to 2-year-old wood and in new vegetative
growth. Flowers are small, about 1 inch long (2.54 cm), produced singly or in
clusters of 2 to 4 from the leaf axils on year-old shoots or new growth. The flowers
are composed of 3 green, fleshy petals, 3 small, inconspicuous sepals, and
numerous pistils on a common receptacle.

The aggregate fruit is heart-shaped, round,

ovate, or conical, from 2 to 5 inches (5.1-12.7
cm) in diameter and weighs from 4 to 24 oz
(113-682 g). The fruit is composed of loosely
cohering segments, which project as rounded
protuberances and are easily separated when
the fruit is ripe.

The pulp of green and purplish-red sugar

apples is white or creamy white, with a
custard-like consistency and sweet, pleasant
flavor. There are numerous, small, shiny,
dark brown seeds embedded in the pulp.

Sugar Apple / Atis Varieties

Most sugar apple trees are grown from seed and within a particular selection
(e.g., ‘Thai Lessard’, ‘Kampong Mauve’) there appears to be little variability
among seedlings. Several selections have been introduced including ‘Thai
Lessard’ (a green type), ‘Purple’ or ‘Red’, ‘Kampong Mauve’ (purplish-red types),
and a seedless type known under
various names, ‘Cuban Seedless’ and
‘Brazilian Seedless’. However, the
seedless fruit split when nearing
maturity, and the fruit quality and yield
is reported to be inferior to seedy types.
Green or red type sugar apples are
recommended for the home landscape.

Propagation

Sugar apples are generally propagated

by seed since there is little variability
among seedlings. However, improved
selections may be veneer- and cleft-
grafted or shield-budded onto suitable rootstocks (e.g., sugar apple, atemoya,
custard apple).

Production (Crop Yields)

Sugar apple trees may bloom from March through May, and fruit are harvested
from mid-summer through fall. Fruit may be available through midwinter if no
frost occurs and leaves remain on the trees. The crop yield of sugar apple varies
from year to year and is influenced by climate, presence or absence of natural
pollinators, disease and insect pressures, and cultural practices. Sugar apple
yields may range from 20 to 50 fruit (10 to 50 lbs; 4.5 to23 kg) per tree.

Spacing

Sugar apple trees make an attractive tree in the home landscape. Sugar apple
trees should be planted in full sun and at least 15 to 20 ft (4.6-6.1 m) from adjacent
trees and structures. Trees planted too close to other trees or structures may not
grow normally or produce much fruit due to shading.

Soils
Sugar apple trees are well-adapted to most well-drained soil types, including the
sands and limestone based soils. Trees in muck soils may tend to grow more
vigorously but produce less fruit due to the high native nitrogen content. Sugar
apple trees are intolerant of continuously wet or flooded soils.

Planting a Sugar AppleTree

Proper planting is one of the most important steps in successfully establishing

and growing a strong, productive tree. The first step is to choose a healthy
nursery tree. Commonly, nursery sugar apple trees are grown in 3-gallon
containers, and trees stand 2 to 4 ft from the soil media. Large trees in smaller
containers should be avoided because the root system may be “root bound.” This
means all the available space in the container has been filled with roots to the
point that the tap root is growing along the edge of the container in a circular
fashion. Root bound root systems may not grow properly once planted in the
ground.

Inspect the tree for insect pests and diseases, and inspect the trunk of the tree for
wounds and constrictions. Select a healthy tree and water it regularly in
preparation for planting in the ground.

Site Selection

In general, sugar apple trees should be planted in full sun for best growth and
fruit production. Select a part of the landscape away from other trees, buildings
and structures, and power lines. Remember, sugar apple trees can grow to about
20 ft (6.1 m) high if not pruned to contain their size. Select the warmest area of the
landscape that does not flood (or remain wet) after typical summer rains.

Care of Sugar Apple Trees

Maintain a grass-free area 2 to 5 or more feet away from the trunk of the tree.

Fertilizer Practices

During the first 2 to 3 years after planting, growing a strong, vigorous tree is the
goal. It is recommended that any fruit that sets during the first year or so be
removed so that the tree will grow vigorously. After the third year, the emphasis
changes to cultural practices that enhance flowering, fruit set, and fruit
development. These include reduced frequency of N-P2O5-K2O applications and
close attention to irrigation from flowering to harvest during prolonged dry
periods.

Fertilizer recommendations are based on experience and observation. Frequent

applications of small amounts of nitrogen-containing fertilizer and watering
during the growing season when there are prolonged dry periods is
recommended (Table 2). After the third year, trees will begin to bear fruit and the
strategy is to reduce the number of applications of nitrogen-containing fertilizer.
Minor element sprays to the foliage should contain magnesium, zinc, and
manganese (some also contain boron, molybdenum and iron). Foliar sprays are
most efficient from April to September.

Young trees should be fertilized with a complete fertilizer every six to eight weeks
during the growing season. A complete fertilizer is a fertilizer containing a source
of nitrogen (N), phosphate (P), and potassium (K) (many also contain a source of
magnesium, Mg).

Apply about 1/4 lb (100 g) per tree per application (Table 1). The rate may
gradually be increased as trees grow. For mature trees, increase the NPK rates
from 1.5 to 4 lbs per tree per application as trees become older. Make 2 to 4
applications per year.

Applications of magnesium and micronutrients such as zinc and manganese may

be made in ground applications to trees growing in sandy soil with a low-pH (4-7).
However, foliar applications of zinc, manganese, and magnesium are more
efficacious for trees growing in highly calcareous with a high-pH (7-8.5).
Micronutrient applications should be made 2 to 4 times per year, generally during
the growing season. Iron should be applied in a chelated formulation. For the
calcareous, rocky soils, and for sandy soils with a high-pH, use a chelated iron
specifically formulated for high-pH soils. For sandy soils with a low-pH, use
either a chelated iron specifically formulated for low-pH, soils or iron sulfate, or
similar materials. Iron should be mixed with water and applied as a soil drench
under the tree canopy.
Suggested calendar of cultural practices for 4-year-old or older sugar apple
trees in the home landscape.

Compost and Mulch

Compost may be used sparingly (in small amounts, 1-3 shovels full) as an addition
to the native soil when planting landscape trees and added to the topsoil under
the tree canopy. A thin layer of mulch 2 to 4 inches thick applied from the tree
drip-line to within 6 inches of the trunk is recommended. Keep mulch away from
the trunk of the tree to prevent the trunk area from becoming too moist, which
can, lead to bark disease problems.

Irrigation Practices (Watering)

Periodic watering of sugar apple trees is

recommended from flowering through
fruit development to enhance fruit
quality and production but don’t over
water it as it may lead to root rot and loss
of tree vigor and health.

Pruning

Periodic pruning of sugar apple trees can easily maintain trees at or below 8 to 12
ft (2.4-3.7 m) in height.

To maintain optimum fruit production, trees should be selectively pruned

annually. In general, about one third of the previous year’s vegetative growth
should be removed during early February/March as trees commence bud break.
The goal is to maintain fruit production in the lower tree canopy, improve light
penetration into the canopy, and limit tree size.

Insect Pests

Annona Seed Borer (Braephratiloides cubense). The annona seed borer (ASB) is
the most important insect pest of sugar apple in Florida. Female ASB lay their
eggs in the young seeds of small fruits. The larva develops inside and the adult
emerges, ruining the fruit in the process. ASB populations increase during the
summer and peak during August-September. Symptoms of insect damage include
small, black holes on the fruit surface, and brown to black decay of the fruit.
Bagging individual fruit in small paper lunch bags will prevent the ASB from
infesting fruit.

Plumose Scale (Morganella longispina). Plumose scale attacks the shoots and
stems of sugar apple and atemoya trees. Plumose scales are dark brown to grayish
brown, circular, and often found infesting the crotch angle areas of stems and
shoots. Damage from heavy infestation results in loss of tree vigor, leaf browning
and drop, and stem and shoot dieback.

Philephedra Scale (Philephedra n.sp.). Philephedra scale attacks mature and

immature leaves, leaf petioles, young stems, and fruit. Most commonly, these
scales are found on the undersides of leaves. Damage from heavy infestation
results in loss of tree vigor, leaf browning and drop, and stem dieback.

Mealy Bugs (Pseudococcus sp.). Mealy bugs are generally found at the stem-end
of the fruit and the shady side of the fruit. Mealy bugs are small, white, scale
insects with wispy protuberances along their surfaces. They exude a sticky,
sugary substance, which becomes colonized by fungi, giving the fruit surface (and
sometimes adjacent leaves) a sooty appearance. This is referred to as sooty mold.

Ambrosia Beetles (Xyleborus sp.). Ambrosia beetles occasionally attack limbs

and the trunk of sugar apple trees. They bore into the bark and outer wood and
inoculate the tree with a fungus they subsequently feed on. This boring causes the
infested limb or tree to decline rapidly and die back.

Diseases

Dry Fruit Rot. Dry fruit rot or mummification of the fruit is caused by several
fungi. Fruit appear purplish-black to black and may remain on the tree for some
time. Usually fruit are colonized by these fungi after emergence of the adult
annona seed borer from the fruit.

Fruit Rot. Fruit may be attacked by fungi which cause the fruit to rot before or
after harvest. Fruit symptoms are very similar to dry fruit rot.
Uses and Nutritional Value

Sugar apple is primarily consumed fresh, as a dessert fruit. The pulp has an
excellent flavor and may be incorporated into ice cream and milk shakes. The
fruit contains some vitamin C and A. Sugar apple trees make beautiful small
landscape trees that provide a very pleasant-tasting fresh fruit.

Harvesting, Packaging, Storing and Pre-processing

1. Post-harvest treatments

Sugar apple fruits can be treated as follows prior to storage or transport: Rinse
them in chlorinated water (100 ppm) at 10-12°C for 20 minutes, followed by 10
minutes in less chlorinated water (20 ppm). To remove chlorine residues,
immerse them in water containing 2 ppm of chlorine.

2. Packaging

Fruits are packed either for proper storage or for safe transport to local or distant
markets.
– Only pack fruits in a single layer, with 6-8 kg in card-board boxes or plastic trays
as they are very delicate.
– If 2 or 3 fruit layers have to be used, protect fruits with soft cushioning.

3. Storage of fresh fruits

– Physiologically mature sugar apples stored at 13ºC for 12 days ripen within:
— 2-4 days when transferred to room temperature (27ºC);
— 6 days when transferred to 20ºC.
– Ripe fruits can be kept for only 1 day at room temperature. When packed in
straw, they can be kept for 2 days.
– Ripe fruits can be stored for 5 days at 5ºC. Kept at 4.5ºC, they can be stored for 5-
6 weeks in good condition for consumption. However, the skin shows injuries due
to chilling and becomes brown.
– Immature fruits stored below 15ºC develop injury due to chilling, resulting in an
unpleasant appearance.

4. Pre-processing into pulp

Fresh pulp:
1. Cut fruits by hand into pieces and scrape the pulp from the skin.
2. Extract the seeds from the pulp.
3. Place the fresh pulp in jars or plastic containers and store in the refrigerator for
further processing.

Frozen pulp:
1. Place fresh pulp in plastic containers and seal.
2. Freeze fresh pulp and store for further processing.

Pasteurized pulp:
1. Heat pulp for 3 minutes at 70ºC.
2. Pour pulp into clean jars/bottles and seal.
3. Pasteurize sealed jars/bottles at 95ºC for 15 minutes.
4. Store for further processing.

Treated pulp:
Sugar apple pulp can be preserved with potassium metabisulphite, where
available.
1. Treat fresh pulp with 250 ppm of SO2 (0.4 g potassium metabisulphite per kg pulp)
when stored in refrigerator afterwards.

Use 500 ppm of SO2 (0.8 g potassium metabisulphite per kg pulp) when stored at ambient
temperature.
2. Pour treated pulp in jars/bottles and seal.
3. Store for further processing.

5. Storage of pulp

– Pasteurized pulp can be stored for 150 days in sealed jars at 27ºC.
– Pulp can be stored for 180 days at room temperature when treated with 500 ppm SO2.