Characterisation of 10 cherimoya (Annona cherimola Mill.) cultivars and their response to artificial pollination in Quillota, Chile

Cherimoya cultivation in Chile occupies about 1,200 hectares, producing for both the internal and export market, principally United States, Japan and certain Latin American countries. Chilean varieties, while possessing some favourable characteristics such as loose seeds, and good post-harvest storability, also have low sugar content and are late maturing in the principal cultivation areas, which make them less attractive. An agreement signed between Sociedad Agricola Huerto California (Chile) and Consejo de Investigaciones Superiores Agricolas of the research station "La Mayora" (Spain), has introduced a series of new varieties to Chile, currently being studied. The first harvest has been evaluated, fruits being characterised at 3 different harvest dates. External characteristics such as colour, weight, shape, and skin type, together with days to harvest-ripeness, pulp resistance, pulp colour, percentage by weight of fruit components, seed characteristics, biochemical compounds, pH, soluble solids, acidity and organoleptic characters were recorded. In addition, the response of each variety to artificial pollination was evaluated. Preliminary results show that there are new varieties that are superior to Chilean varieties with respect to time of harvest - thus allowing a longer harvest period and organoleptic quality.