Chirimoya and Loquat

Cherimoya (Annona cherimola Mill.) is a subtropical tree crop that belongs to the Angiosperm family Annonaceae, which also includes sugar apple and soursop. Cherimoya flowers are pollinated by beetles and characterized by a marked protoginous dichogamy. In regions where cherimoya is now cultivated, the lack of native efficient pollinators forces the implementation of hand-pollination, thus increasing local production costs. Cherimoya is a 5 to 9 meter high tree with a dense foliage. The optimal temperature for growth is between 18° and 25° C in summer and between 5° and 18° C in winter. The crop adapts well to a wide range of soils. The perishability of cherimoya is a problem for handling and transportation to distant markets. Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) belongs to the Rosaceae family, which also includes other pomes such as apple and pear. It is a subtropical evergreen fruit with a reversed annual cycle: it rests during summer and matures in early spring, being the first fruit crop reaching the market. This fruit earliness allows for high prices early in the season. Optimal temperature for cultivation is 20-30° C; the tree is moderately cold-hardy. Loquat grows in a wide range of soils, provided they are deep and well-drained. Loquat is benefiting from modern production techniques. Fruit earliness is enhanced by pre-flowering deficit irrigation, a management strategy that saves water and at the same time increases the value of the crop thanks to improved fruit earliness. Fruit size is enhanced by girdling and hand-and chemical fruit thinning. In this chapter, the different procedures to achieve the best fruit size in order to make the crop more profitable are described.