Figures (2)  Tables (4)

    • Figure 1. 

      Worldwide distribution of A. muricata. Source: adapted from Datiles & Acevedo-Rodriguez[12].

    • Figure 2. 

      (a) One-month old soursop seedlings, (b) 6-month old seedlings transplanted on a Eutric Silandic Andosol (Loamic) in a humid tropical forest environment with mean annual rainfall of about 3,100 mm, mean annual temperature of 25.2 °C, and mean annual relative humidity of > 85%, (c) 28-month old soursop tree and (d) a mature soursop fruit.

    • Climatic characteristic
      		Suitability class
      OptimalModerateMarginal
      Mean annual temperature (°C)22−2518−21< 12, > 26
      Mean annual rainfall (mm)2,000−2,5001,000−1,500< 1,000
      Relative humidity (%)70−8050−60< 50
      Altitude (m a.s.l.)200−300300−1,000< 200; > 1,000
      Soil temperature (°C)25 - 3510−25< 10
      Soil moisture regimeUdicPerudicAquic, Peraquic, Aridic, Ustic
      Soil temperature
      regime (50 cm soil depth from surface)      		Hyperthermic/
      Isohyperthermic      		Thermic/
      Isothermic      		Mesic/Isomesic
      Definitions of soil temperature and moisture regimes are based on Soil Survey Staff[54].

      Table 1. 

      Climatic characteristics influencing the growth of A. muricata.

    • SubstrateEffect on
      seedling growth      		Ref.
      50% soil + 25% humus + 25% carbonized rice husk+[72]
      Soil + vermicompost + mineral fertilizer+[73]
      Soil + humus + dried coconut shell powder+[74]
      25% cattle manure + 75% vermiculite+[67,68]
      50% cattle manure + 50% vermiculite+[67,68]
      50% vermiculite + 50% carbonized rice husk+[75]
      50% vermiculite + 50% earthworm humus+[75]
      42%−50% soil + 42%−50% cured bovine manure + 0.04%−0.07% lime + 0.05%−0.08% single superphosphate+[76]
      20% soil + 40% cattle manure + 20% sand + 20% vermiculite+[77]
      Soil + AMF + 10% vermicompost+[78]
      Soil + AMF + cocoa shell compost+[79]
      Soil + AMF +10 t ha−1 rice husk biochar+[80]
      77% topsoil + 23% saw dust+[81]
      50% topsoil + 50% sawdust+[82]
      33.3% garden soil + 66.77% fine river sand+[83]
      82% soil + 15% sand + 3% bovine manure+[69]
      50% soil + 25% coconut shell powder + 25% carbonized rice husk−[72]
      Soil + green coconut husk powder−[74]
      25% earthworm humus + 75% cassava branches−[68]
      50% earthworm humus + 50% cassava branches−[68]
      25% bovine manure + 75% cassava branches−[68]
      +: positive effect on seedling growth. −: negative effect on seedling growth. AMF: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.

      Table 2. 

      Some substrate combinations influencing seedling growth of A. muricata.

    • Soil characteristicsSuitability class
      OptimalModerateMarginal
      Physical characteristics
      Textural class#Loam,
      sandy loam,
      loamy sand,
      sandy clay loam      		Clay loam, sandy clay, silty clay,
      silty clay loam,
      silt loam      		Heavy clay, clay
      Depth (cm)> 180 cm< 180 cm−

      Chemical characteristics
      Soil pH5.5−6.55.0−5.5< 5.0
      Soil organic matter (%)> 6%< 6%−
      Base saturation (%)> 60%< 60%−
      Al saturation (%)< 20%> 20%−
      #: The texture is based on USDA textural triangle[54].

      Table 3. 

      Soil characteristics, limits and degree of suitability for A. muricata.

    • Edaphic characteristicsRecommended value
      Climatic characteristic
      Mean annual temperature (°C)22−25
      Mean annual rainfall (mm)2,000−2,500
      Relative humidity (%)70%−80%
      Altitude (m a.s.l.)200−300
      Soil temperature (°C)25−35
      Soil moisture regimeUdic
      Soil temperature regime
      (50 cm soil depth from surface)      		Hyperthermic/
      Isohyperthermic
      Soil physical characteristics
      Textural class#Loam, sandy loam,
      loamy sand,
      sandy clay loam
      Depth (cm)> 180 cm
      Soil chemical characteristics
      Soil pH5.5−6.5
      Soil organic matter (%)> 6%
      Base saturation (%)> 60%
      Al saturation (%)< 20%

      Table 4. 

      Recommended edaphic requirements for cultivating A. muricata.