Custard apple is a very hardy, plant found growing in wild and semi-wild condition of tropical climate of Deccan plateau. It is tolerant to salinty to some extent. In mild winter habitat the leaves Remain evergreen and artifical deflection has to be induced for flowering. In Deccan Plateau it sheds leaves and enters into dormancy during hot and dry periods in summer.

SOILS

Custard apple grows on varying soils. The sandy marginal and waste lands may be utilised for gorwing this crop. Since water logging causes tree to decline, therefore, heavysoils with poor Drainge, susoils with hard pan or high water table are to be avoided. Custerd apple is cabel of growing in soilshaving lime upto 300 ppm in irrigation water.

CLIMATE

Custerd apple prefers warm, dry Climate with moderate winter. Areas with high humidity, occasional rains and warm temperatures are ideal for set and deveploment.

VARIETIES

Balanagar, Red Seethapal, Washington P.1. 107005 British Gureau, Island gem. Pink's Mammoth and Atemoya (Hybrid between Seethapal and Cherimoya).

PROPAGATION

Veneer grafting on its own root stock during March-April.

PLANTING

Planting is generally taken up during june-july and continued upto October-november. Pits of 50 X 50 X 50cm are dug and filled with a mixture of 20 kg. FYM and 300 g fertilzer mixture of urea, superphosphate and muriate of potash in equal proportion at least a fortnight before planting. Planting is done at a distance of 5 X 5 m. For better fruit set in Atemoya, Plant Sitapal is 10:1 ratio.

Manures and Fertilizers

The bearing trees of the seethaphal should be given 250 g N, 125 g P205 and 125 g k20 per plant. The Atemoyas should be fertilized with 450 g N, 450 g p205 and 450 g k20 per plant from 5th year.

IRRIGATION

Custard apple does not require irrigation as it prefers semi wild Condtions. However, irrigation after manuring and during fruit deveploment will improve friut size and yeild.

INTERCULTURE

In the initial years of planting inertcorps like groundnut, minor millets, pea, oilseeds can be grown. Seethaphal bears flower on the current season growth and very rarely on older wood. The early completion of leaf fall is essential for the initiation of the new growth. Therfore manual defoliation during mild summer is recommended.

PLANT PROTECTION

Seethaphal is generally free from the attack of any serious pests and diseases.

DISORDERS

1. Stone Fruits:

   Some fruits instead of attaining full size remain very small and become brown and dry up. These are knows as stone fruits which are retained on tree for a long period. Competition among the developing fruits and high temperature are supposed to cause stone fruit formation.
   
   

2. Fruit Cracking:

   This usually happens from a heavy rainfall or irrigation after a prolonged dry spell. Evenly distributed irrigation schedule and constant and uniform moisture level in the soilwill reduce this problem.