Sugar apple (Annona squamosa L.), also known as sitaphal, sharifa, custard apple, or sweetsop, is a popular arid fruit valued for its creamy, sweet pulp. Originally from tropical America, it has been widely cultivated across India in recent years. While the fruit is mostly consumed fresh, it is also used in custards, ice creams, and other value-added products such as milk shake.
Among improved varieties, ‘Arka Sahan’ stands out for its superior quality and productivity. Developed at ICAR–Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, by crossing Annona atemoya (cv. Island Gem) with A. squamosa (cv. Mammoth), this hybrid is a vigorous grower producing large fruits averaging 410 g each, with creamy-white pulp, very few seeds (~9 seeds per 100 g), pleasant aroma, and excellent sweetness (22.8% sugars; TSS ~30°Brix). The fruits remain fresh for up to 8 days at room temperature, making them ideal for both home consumption and the market. For optimal fruit set, assisted pollination is recommended, ensuring consistent yields and high-quality fruits.
Under mild tropical conditions, ‘Arka Sahan’ typically ripens in August–September, coinciding with the monsoon season. Heavy rains during this period can reduce fruit quality and promote problems such as anthracnose disease and fruit fly infestations. These factors lower consumer preference and reduce profitability for growers.
Research at ICAR–Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru explored pruning time (August, September, October) and pruning intensity (25%, 50%, 75% of the previous season’s growth) to advance fruiting. The studies showed that judicious pruning can bring forward harvest by 8–9 weeks. Key findings include:
• 75% pruning in early October promoted early sprouting, flowering, and fruiting.
• Instead of the usual August–September harvest, fruits were ready by mid-June.
• Early-harvested fruits were larger, sweeter, and contained fewer seeds, maintaining or exceeding the usual quality.
This approach allows growers to produce early-season fruits with high market potential, improving profitability. Pruning removes old leaves, stimulates dormant buds, and encourages new shoot growth. Since flowers develop on new shoots, October pruning induces early flowering and fruiting.
In addition, severe pruning (75%) of a vigorous variety like ‘Arka Sahan’ opens up the canopy, improving sunlight penetration throughout the tree. This enhances photosynthesis in leaves at all levels, producing extra sugars that contribute to larger, sweeter fruits.
How Farmers Can Adopt This Practice
1. When to Prune: In the first week of October, immediately after harvest.
2. How Much to Cut: Remove about 75% of the previous season’s growth and prune old shoots to open the canopy.
3. Aftercare: Provide adequate irrigation and nutrition to support new shoot growth, and protect emerging shoots from pests and diseases.
Benefits of Off-Season Production
1. Higher Prices: Fruits harvested in June command premium prices, as sugar apples are scarce in the market.
2. Better Quality: Early-season fruits are heavier, juicier, sweeter, and less affected by pests and diseases compared to monsoon harvests.
3. Greater Consumer Appeal: Large fruits with fewer seeds and more pulp are preferred by buyers, ensuring better marketability and higher returns.
Economics
‘Arka Sahan’ begins yielding from the 4th year after planting. A seven-year-old plantation can produce approximately 3.2 tonnes of fruits per acre. With market prices ranging from ₹100 to ₹180 per kg, progressive farmers in Karnataka have reported gross returns of around ₹5,71,000 per acre and a net profit of ₹3,28,000 per acre. These figures highlight the significant economic potential of early-season sugar apple cultivation.
Conclusion
Off-season production of sugar apple cv. ‘Arka Sahan’ is now achievable through systematic pruning. By removing about 75% of the previous season’s growth in October, farmers can advance the harvest to June—well before the monsoon. This simple, low-cost, and effective practice ensures better fruit quality, higher market value, and increased returns, making it a highly profitable strategy for growers.
(Source: ICAR–Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru)
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