Establishing a cherimoya regional genebank
Cherimoya (Annona cherimola), one of 100 species of the genus Annona, is a native American custard apple that has been a delicacy amongst natives of the Andes since prehistoric times. The fruit originates in the inter-Andean valleys from southern Ecuador to northern Chile and the greatest diversity is concentrated in Ecuador and Peru, where both wild and cultivated forms are found between 1200 and 2000 metres above sea level. It is known for its superior flavour and aroma and the attractive colour of its creamy flesh, characteristics that make it appetizing to eat fresh as well as in desserts, ice cream and drinks. The crushed seeds are used as insecticides in Mexico and Guatemala. It is cultivated on a commercial scale in frost-free, low humidity areas in Central and South America and in Egypt, India, Italy, New Zealand, Spain and the USA.
Due to its high nutritive value (fibre, vitamin C and niacin), high fructose content (18% DM) and excellent taste, cherimoya has exceptional export value. Its wide genetic diversity gives it great potential for improvement through hybridization and selection. The most pressing need is to conserve the existing diversity. With this in mind, INIA, Peru, in collaboration with IPGRI and with funds from INIA, Spain, has established a field genebank for cherimoya in Peru, coordinated by PRONARGEB, the national programme. The genebank, located at the Canaan Experiment Station in Ayacucho, conserves both cultivated and wild material. The site was prepared in 1998, 'criollo' rootstocks were established and some collecting missions were carried out by professionals from INIA, Peru, and national universities. The 248 accessions of wild and cultivated material so far collected have all been grafted onto the rootstocks in the field genebank. The resulting collection is being enriched with material reintroduced from the collection that INIA, Spain maintains at its Malaga experimental station.
The University of Loja, Ecuador, is establishing a complementary collection containing mainly wild materials. The new genebank has been designated of regional importance by the Mesoamerican and Andean genetic resources networks, REMERFI and REDARFIT.
Once evaluated, this valuable material will stimulate the use of the broad variability present in A. cherimola for the selection of high-yielding, high-quality varieties with resistance to the most important pests and diseases. Conservation efforts will lead to the production of quality planting material and the development of management technologies that will allow the region’s farmers to realize the species’ economic potential.
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