The Atemoya (Annona × atemoya) is a hybrid fruit tree between the sugar-apple (Annona squamosa) and the cherimoya (Annona cherimola), known for its sweet pulp, creamy texture, and delicate aroma. Its cultivation has expanded across various tropical and subtropical regions around the world, renowned for its adaptability to moderate altitudes and climates with mild winters, and it is successfully grown in countries such as Brazil, Australia, Israel, Thailand, South Africa, and the United States.
The origin of the atemoya dates back to the early 20th century when horticulturist P.J. Wester from the United States Department of Agriculture first crossbred the cherimoya and the sugar-apple in 1908 in Miami. The aim was to combine the cold hardiness of the cherimoya with the productivity and flavor of the sugar-apple. Later, in 1917, Edward Simmons successfully cultivated hybrids that withstood temperatures as low as 26.42°F (-3.1°C), demonstrating the hardiness of the new variety. Besides these controlled crosses, natural hybrids were identified in Venezuela and in adjoining plantations of cherimoya and sugar-apple in Israel during the 1930s and 1940s, highlighting the compatibility between these species.
To better understand the adaptability of the atemoya, it is interesting to study the habitats of the species that gave it origin. The sugar-apple (Annona squamosa) is native to the tropical regions of the Americas, particularly the intertropical zone of the American continent, and is widely distributed in areas of hot and dry climate. This species adapts well to altitudes of up to 3280 feet (1000 meters) and prefers well-drained soils with good aeration and moderately fertile. It is common in savannah zones, caatingas, and open forests, often cultivated in areas with high average temperatures and well-defined dry seasons.
The cherimoya (Annona cherimola), meanwhile, originates from the Andes, specifically in the high regions of Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, where it grows between 3280 and 8200 feet (1000 to 2500 meters) of altitude. This species thrives best in subtropical highland climates with mild temperatures, tolerating light frosts, thus giving it greater cold resistance compared to other members of the Annonaceae family. The combination of these ecological characteristics allowed the atemoya to inherit both the heat adaptability of the sugar-apple and the hardiness and climate resistance of the cherimoya.
The dissemination of Atemoya occurred in various tropical and subtropical regions. In Brazil, the first plantations were established in the 1960s, with the state of São Paulo currently leading national production. The fruit is also widely cultivated in Taiwan, where it is known as “pineapple sugar apple“, and in countries such as Israel, South Africa, and Australia.
The botanical name Annona × atemoya reflects its hybrid origin, indicated by the “×” between the genus and the specific epithet. The genus name Annona derives from the Taíno word “anón”, used by the indigenous people of the Antilles to designate fruits belonging to this botanical group. The designation “atemoya” is a combination of “ate”, the old Mexican name for the sugar apple, and “moya”, derived from “cherimoya”, a Quechua term for the cherimoya. This nomenclature was proposed by P.J. Wester upon observing that the fruits resulting from the crossbreeding exhibited superior quality to that of the sugar apple, justifying the creation of a new name for the hybrid species.
Atemoya is a monoecious, medium-sized fruit tree, with height ranging from 13 to 26 feet (4 to 8 meters), and can reach up to 33 feet (10 meters) in height. It features erect growth with a dense and rounded canopy. The trunk is short and branched, with grayish bark and a rough texture. The root system is shallow and well-developed, with lateral roots that extend horizontally, providing good anchorage and nutrient absorption. The branches are semi-woody, with abundant branching and alternate, simple leaves of an oblong to lanceolate shape, measuring between 4 and 8 inches (10 and 20 cm) in length and 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) in width. The leaves display prominent veins on the underside and are glabrous or slightly pubescent.
The inflorescences are solitary or in groups of two to three, located in the axils of the leaves. The flowers are hermaphroditic, large, about 1 to 1.6 inches (3 to 4 cm) in diameter, composed of three fleshy outer petals, yellowish-green in color, and three smaller, less developed inner petals. Flowering occurs mainly during the spring and summer months, depending on local climatic conditions.
Pollination is mainly carried out by beetles (Coleoptera), attracted by the scent of the flowers and the presence of floral structures that facilitate their access to nectar and pollen. Cross-pollination is common, and in commercial plantations, manual pollination may be used to increase fruit production.
The Atemoya fruit is a syncarp, resulting from the fusion of multiple carpels, displaying either a rounded or heart-shaped form, with a weight ranging between 7 to 28 ounces (200 and 800 grams). The skin is light green with protuberances and a slightly rough texture. The pulp is white, creamy, sweet-flavored and pleasantly aromatic, containing numerous black, smooth and shiny seeds, about 0.4 to 0.8 inches (1 to 2 cm) in length. The seeds are primarily dispersed by animals such as toucans, monkeys and bats, which consume the fruits and excrete the seeds intact, contributing to the natural propagation of the plant.
Atemoya has several cultivars developed to meet different climatic conditions and market preferences, including:
- ‘Gefner’: developed in Israel and widely cultivated in Florida, USA. It is notable for its high productivity and the ability to bear fruit without the need for manual pollination, making it ideal for regions with a shortage of natural pollinators. The fruits have a well-defined shape, with narrow and pointed carpels, white, juicy, and firm pulp, achieving up to 25 °Brix sugar content. This cultivar is suitable for tropical and subtropical climates, showing good adaptation in various regions.
- ‘Thompson’: is an intermediate cultivar between sugar-apple and cherimoya, developed in the United States. It is the most cultivated variety in Brazil, especially in the states of São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Bahia. It features well-formed fruits, with well-fused carpels and white, juicy and creamy pulp, reaching up to 25 °Brix. The plants have good vigor and are relatively tolerant to fungal diseases, making it a popular choice among Brazilian producers.
- ‘Pink’s Mammoth’: developed in Australia and known for its large fruits, which can weigh up to 2.2 pounds (1 kg), with white, juicy, and sweet pulp, reaching 25 °Brix. However, it shows irregular production and fruit deformities due to poor pollination, which has led to its replacement by other more consistent cultivars, like ‘African Pride’.
- ‘African Pride’: is a cultivar originating from South Africa, introduced to Australia in 1961. It produces medium-sized fruits with white, juicy, and pleasantly flavored pulp. This is an early-bearing variety with consistent yields and good adaptability to diverse climatic conditions. In Australia, it replaced the ‘Pink’s Mammoth’ cultivar due to its more reliable production and the absence of issues such as pulp discoloration and bitterness near the skin.
- ‘Early Cultivar’: It is an early cultivar with regular production and good adaptation to different climatic conditions. In Australia, this cultivar has replaced ‘Pink’s Mammoth’ due to its more consistent production and the absence of problems such as discoloration and bitterness near the skin.
- ‘PR-3’: is a Brazilian cultivar selected for its characteristics similar to those of the sugar apple, with round fruits, fine-textured, sweet, and slightly acidic pulp, and a pronounced aroma. It has a high number of seeds and is mainly cultivated in regions of Brazil with a subtropical climate.
- ‘Bradley’: This cultivar was developed in the United States, characterized by small fruits, smooth skin, and sweet pulp. Although it produces fewer fruits than other cultivars, it stands out for its pleasant flavor and texture. It is cultivated on a smaller scale, mainly by exotic fruit enthusiasts and in home orchards.
- ‘QAS’: is an Australian cultivar selected by the Queensland Acclimatisation Society. It features large fruits, which can weigh up to 2.2 lbs (1 kg), with white, juicy, and sweet pulp, reaching 25 ºBrix. The carpels remain united even when the fruit is ripe, providing good appearance and resistance to handling. It is mainly cultivated in Australia and other regions with similar climates.
- ‘Lisa’: is recognized for its pink-red colored fruits at maturity, with white, creamy, and sweet pulp, featuring subtle notes of red fruits. Developed in the United States, this variety is cherished for its distinct appearance and pleasant taste. The tree has a medium size, with a dense canopy and vigorous growth, adapting well to subtropical climates. The production is regular, and manual pollination can be employed to increase fruiting.
- ‘Phet Pakchong’: also known as PPC, was developed in Thailand, specifically in the district of Pak Chong, in Nakhon Ratchasima province. This cultivar is notable for its large fruits, weighing up to 2.87 lbs (1.3 kg), green skin with bumps, and white, creamy, sweet-tasting pulp with a floral aroma. The tree exhibits vigorous growth and good productivity, being adapted to tropical and subtropical climates. Manual pollination is recommended to ensure consistent fruiting.
The Atemoya fruit is highly valued, mainly consumed fresh due to its white, creamy, sweet, and delicately flavored pulp, reminiscent of a blend between bananas and pineapples.
In the culinary world, Atemoya can be used in the preparation of juices, ice creams, mousses, sweets, compotes, drinks, and various desserts, standing out due to its velvety texture and exotic aroma. The industry utilizes its pulp in frozen products, nectars, and pasteurized pulps, especially in markets that demand exotic tropical fruits.
Atemoya is rich in carbohydrates, particularly fructose and glucose, and contains significant amounts of vitamin C, potassium, dietary fibers, and phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity. Its average caloric content ranges between 80 and 100 kcal per 100 grams of pulp, making it an excellent source of quick energy, especially recommended for children, athletes, and individuals with high nutritional needs.
In the home orchard, Atemoya offers dual functionality: food production and ornamental value. Its dense, rounded canopy with bright green foliage provides shade and frames green areas with tropical elegance. In edible landscaping projects, it can serve as a focal point in backyards, urban gardens, and productive gardens, integrating with other small fruit trees and aromatic plants.
The discrete yet exotic flowering and the hanging fruits with sculptural shapes enhance the visual appeal of the setting, in addition to attracting pollinators such as bees and beetles. Its relatively simple maintenance allows for its inclusion in residential spaces and corporate relaxation areas, promoting direct contact with nature and encouraging sustainable practices such as harvesting food from one’s own garden. Additionally, it can be grown in pots, producing its sweet fruits on patios, terraces, and apartment balconies.
Atemoya adapts well to tropical and subtropical climates, preferring temperatures between 68°F and 86°F (20°C and 30°C). It is frost-sensitive, especially in its young stages, although adult trees can tolerate temperatures slightly below 32°F (0°C) for short periods. The plant requires high light intensity, with direct sunlight exposure for at least 6 hours daily, to ensure good growth and fruiting. It prefers well-drained, fertile, and slightly acidic soils, with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. For container growing, the use of substrates rich in organic matter, with good moisture retention and efficient drainage, is recommended.
The Atemoya plantlets should be planted in beds measuring 16 in x 16 in x 16 in (40 cm x 40 cm x 40 cm), enriched with 4.4 gallons (20 liters) of well-rotted farmyard manure and 10.6 oz (300 grams) of single superphosphate, especially in soils of medium to low fertility. The ideal spacing between plants varies from 13 ft to 20 ft (4 to 6 meters), depending on the size of the cultivar and the management practices adopted. Staking the plantlets is important in the early years to ensure vertical growth and prevent breaks. Irrigation should be regular, keeping the soil moist, particularly during flowering and fruiting periods, avoiding waterlogging that can lead to root rot. In commercial plantings, the use of micro-sprinklers per plant is recommended.
Fertilization must be balanced, with periodic applications of macro and micronutrients, according to soil analysis and the plant needs, particularly the following nutrients:
- Nitrogen should be supplied in a staggered manner throughout the vegetative cycle to avoid losses through leaching and to promote continuous growth. It is recommended to apply between 5.3 oz to 10.6 oz (150 to 300 g) of N per adult plant per year, adjusting the dosage according to the plant’s vigor and production history. Recommended sources include ammonium nitrate, protected urea, or calcium nitrate, preferring less volatile sources in sandy soils or rainy regions.
- Phosphorus is essential in the initial development phase and in floral induction. The annual dose varies between 2.8 oz to 5.3 oz (80 to 150 g) of P2O5 per adult plant, which can be applied in the form of single superphosphate, monoammonium phosphate (MAP), or natural sources such as magnesian thermophosphate, always respecting local availability and soil reactivity.
- Potassium is crucial for fruit quality, influencing soluble solid content and resistance to pests. For adult plants, the recommended annual application varies from 5.3 oz to 8.8 oz (150 to 250 g) of K2O, using sources like potassium chloride (with caution in saline soils) or potassium sulfate, which also provides sulfur.
- Calcium, besides being involved in the structural formation of plant tissues, is crucial for the integrity of the fruit cell walls.
The application of 3.5 to 7 oz (100 to 200 g) of Ca per plant per year, especially through calcium nitrate, contributes to the firmness of the pulp and reduces the incidence of physiological disorders in the fruits. - Boron, a micronutrient required in small amounts but essential for fruiting, should be applied at an annual rate of 0.04 to 0.07 oz (1 to 2 g) of B per plant. In poor soils, the use of sources such as borax or boric acid, diluted in water and applied through fertigation or foliar spraying, is recommended, with leaf concentrations between 0.05% and 0.1% per application.
All doses must be adjusted based on periodic chemical analysis of the soil and foliar tissue, prioritizing fractional application throughout critical phases—budding, flowering, and fruiting—for greater absorption efficiency. In addition to these important nutrients, others such as Sulfur, Magnesium, etc., should be considered based on analysis.
Pruning for plant structuring is indispensable. As soon as the seedling reaches about 24 inches (60 centimeters) in height, the main axis is cut to encourage lateral budding. In the first three years, successive prunings help establish a well-formed, airy canopy that is easy to manage. In mature plants, production pruning should be carried out annually, at the end of winter or the beginning of spring, removing unproductive, diseased, or poorly positioned branches, with the goal of inducing new vegetative flows and improving fruiting.
For cultivars that do not have effective self-pollinators, as is common in most Atemoyas, manual pollination is a valuable practice. The ideal is to collect flowers in the late afternoon, store them in paper bags in a dry place, and apply the pollen early the next morning using fine brushes or homemade devices, ensuring a greater quantity and uniformity of fruits.
Atemoya exhibits moderate drought resistance, but prolonged periods without adequate irrigation can compromise fruit production and plant health. It is sensitive to strong winds, which can cause physical damage and fruit drop, making the implementation of natural or artificial windbreaks advisable in regions with intense winds.
The plant does not tolerate high salinity well, making it unsuitable for cultivation in coastal areas with saline soils or direct exposure to salt-laden winds.
Atemoya can be affected by various insect species, such as scale insects, aphids, mites, and fruit flies, which can compromise the quality of the fruits and the health of the plant. Among the most important are the fruit borer and the seed borer. The fruit borer is caused by a moth with a grayish-white coloration, whose females lay eggs on the leaves and small fruits; the larvae attack and destroy the inside of the pulp and seeds. The seed borer is caused by a small wasp that lays eggs in the seeds of still small fruits; as the fruits and the seed grow, the larva also develops and pupates, completing the cycle. The control of these pests is mainly done by protecting the still small fruit with perforated plastic bags, which must be removed before harvest.
Fungal diseases, such as anthracnose (caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides), can affect leaves, flowers, and fruits, especially in conditions of high humidity and elevated temperatures. Anthracnose leaves black spots on the fruits and drastically reduces durability after harvest. In Atemoya orchards, it is recommended to apply preventive Bordeaux mixture during periods of higher risk, such as the beginning of the rains and the vegetative period, respecting the appropriate dosages to avoid phytotoxicity. Its use should be integrated with other cultural practices, such as pruning for aeration, soil moisture control, and the elimination of diseased plant residues.
Orchard maintenance requires periodic control of weeds, preferably with brush cutters, taking care to avoid injuring the shallow roots. Under the canopy, cleaning should be manual or with precision tools. The use of leguminous mulch, with nitrogen fixation, such as peanut grass, can be a strategy to increase fertility and prevent the emergence of unwanted weeds. In areas with a history of nematodes, it is recommended to change the growing location or use preventive practices such as soil solarization. These precautions, systematically applied and adjusted to local conditions, are foundational for sustainable, vigorous, and high-yield cultivation of Atemoya.
Atemoya propagation is almost exclusively carried out through grafting, as being a hybrid, it has low genetic uniformity and high variability when propagated by seeds. Moreover, grafting ensures the retention of the characteristics of the parent cultivar, such as fruit quality, disease resistance, and vegetative vigor. Among the most commonly used methods are side or cleft grafting, performed in protected nurseries with still young plantlets.
The most recommended rootstock for Atemoya is Annona squamosa (sugar apple), due to its high compatibility, good hardiness, and excellent root system, which ensures better soil adaptation and initial vigor. Other species such as Annona cherimola can also be used, especially in regions with milder climate, but tend to be more demanding regarding moisture and soil quality. The rootstock is obtained from fresh seeds sown in a light, well-drained substrate with good water retention, such as a mix of sand, vermiculite, and stabilized organic matter. Seeds should be washed and dried in the shade beforehand, and can be treated with specific fungicides to prevent soil pathogen attacks.
Germination usually occurs between 15 and 30 days after sowing, depending on temperature and humidity. The seedlings should be maintained under 50% shading until they reach about 12 to 16 inches (30 to 40 cm) in height, the ideal time for grafting. After grafting, which should be done with vegetative material from certified cultivars, it is recommended to keep the plantlets in a protected environment, with high relative humidity and a temperature between 75°F and 82°F (24 °C and 28 °C), until the graft takes completely. Successful grafting is aided by the use of sharp, disinfected blades and firm tying with biodegradable plastic tape.
During the first months after grafting, it is important to perform frequent sprouting below the graft area, ensuring that only the desired crown develops. Fertilization of plantlets should be done with fertilizers at low concentration. Transplanting to the final location can occur between 4 and 6 months after grafting, when the seedling reaches a height of 20 to 31 inches (50 to 80 cm), has a lignified stem, and good leaf architecture. Using the grafting method of propagation, Atemoya trees generally begin production between the second and third year after final planting in the field.
