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Submitted to: Florida Grower
Publication Type: Trade Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 7/16/2015 Publication Date: 7/16/2015 Citation: Bowman, K.D. 2015. Sugar apple emerges as tempting treat for Florida Growers. Florida Grower, July 16, 2015. Interpretive Summary: Declining citrus production in Florida is leading to increased interest for commercial growers in alternative crops. Among several potential fruit crops that can be grown in citrus areas, the Sugar Apple appears especially good tasting, easy to grow, and highly productive in the Florida east coast area. Sugar Apple fruit will probably not be suited to large scale production because of short shelf life and cold sensitivity, but might find great value for roadside stands and as a novelty for tourists. Technical Abstract: The Sugar Apple, Annona squamosa, is described as a potential alternative crop for the Florida east coast. Sugar Apple is highly productive of fruit on bushes from seed beginning at about 1-2 years of age, and produces a very flavorful and highly sought after tropical fruit. Several cultivars of Sugar Apple have been described, with the red fruited variety proving especially suited to the Florida east coast area. Potential limitations of the crop are cold sensitivity and short fruit shelf life. |
