Research directed by C. Daehler (UH Botany) with funding from the Kaulunani Urban Forestry Program and US Forest Service

Information on Risk Assessments
Original risk assessment

Annona muricata

Answer

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

n

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

y=-1, n=-1

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

y=-1, n=-1

n

2.01

Species suited to tropical or subtropical climate(s) (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) – If island is primarily wet habitat, then substitute “wet tropical” for “tropical or subtropical”

See Append 2

2

2.02

Quality of climate match data (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) see appendix 2

2

2.03

Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility)

y=1, n=0

n

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

y

2.05

Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range? y=-2

?=-1, n=0

y

3.01

Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05

n

3.02

Garden/amenity/disturbance weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

3.03

Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

3.04

Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

3.05

Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

y

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

n

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

n

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

n

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

n

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

y

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

n

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

n

4.09

Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle

y=1, n=0

n

4.1

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)

y=1, n=0

n

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

n

5.01

Aquatic

y=5, n=0

n

5.02

Grass

y=1, n=0

n

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

y=1, n=0

n

5.04

Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers)

y=1, n=0

n

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

y=1, n=0

n

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

y

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

y=1, n=-1

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

y

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

n

6.07

Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1

See left

4

7.01

Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas)

y=1, n=-1

n

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y=1, n=-1

y

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

y=1, n=-1

n

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

n

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

n

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

n

8.02

Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)

y=1, n=-1

y

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=1

8.04

Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire

y=1, n=-1

8.05

Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

-3

Source

Notes

1.01

no evidence

1.02

possibly naturalized on Nauru (small, disturbed Pacfic Island). See 3.04. No reports from elsewhere despite widespread introduction

1.03

no evidence

2.01

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?3492 (06 December 2001)

Distributional range: widely cult. & naturalized, probable origin West Indies

2.02

2.03

(1) Horticopia® Plant Information <http://www.hortpix.com/pc452.htm>
(2) CRFG Publications 1969-1989 Index <http://www.crfg.org/fg/xref/xref-a.html#annona_muricata>

(1) Hardiness Range: 10B - 11 (2) A small, upright evergreen which cannot stand frost. It may be grown only in warmest parts of Florida or in greenhouses. The leaves are dark green and glossy. The fruit is 6-9", yellow green in color, with white flesh. The pulp is excellent for making drinks and sherbets and, though slightly sour-acid, can be eaten out-of-hand.

2.04

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?3492 (06 December 2001)

Distributional range: widely cult. & naturalized, probable origin West Indies

2.05

(1) Le, H. T.; Hancock, J. F.; Ton That Trinh (1998) The fruit crops of Vietnam: introduced species and their native relatives. Fruit Varieties Journal, 1998, Vol.52, No.3, pp.158-168, 29 ref.
(2) AU: Leston, D. (1979) The natural history of some West African insects. Part 10. The swallowtails (Lep., Papilionidae) of Ghana.Entomologist's Monthly Magazine, 1979, Vol.115, No.1376/1379, pp.39-41, 13 ref.
(3) Nakasone, H. Y. (1972) Production feasibility for soursop. Hawaii Farm Science, 1972, Vol.21, No.1, pp.10-11, 4 ref.

(1) Vietnam (2) Ghana (3) Hawaii

3.01

no evidence

3.02

no evidence

3.03

no evidence

3.04

R. Thayman, University of the South Pacific, personal communication

no evidence; "established on the escarpment in a number of places on Nauru….and on the plateau, which is the area where phosphate is mined...I wouldn't say that they are bad invasives...Nauru is probably one of the most seriously disturbed landscapes on earth"

3.05

Weeds Australia Database<http://www.weeds.org.au/noxious.htm>

A. glabra is listed as prohibited. [Prohib Species on the Prohibited List, not permitted entry into WA under the Plant Diseases Act. ] Pond apple (Annona glabra) is one of the worst invaders of the Wet Tropics.

4.01

structures on fruit are fleshy

4.02

no evidence

4.03

no evidence

4.04

no evidence

4.05

no evidence

4.06

(1) Broglio-Micheletti, S. M. F.; Berti-Filho, E. (2000) Control of Cerconota anonella in a soursop orchard. [FT: Controle de Cerconota anonella em pomar de gravioleira]. Scientia Agricola, 2000, Vol.57, No.3, pp.557-559, 11 ref.
(2) Aluja, M.; Jiménez, A.; Piñero, J.; Camino, M.; Aldana, L.; Valdés, M. E.; Castrejón, V.; Jácome, I.; Dávila, B.; Figueroa, R. (1997) Daily activity patterns and within-field distribution of papaya fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Morelos and Veracruz, Mexico. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 1997, Vol.90, No.4, pp.505-520, 38 ref.
(3) Caloba, J.; Silva, N. M. da (1995) Insects associated with soursop, Annona muricata L. and biriba, Rollinia mucosa (Jacq.) Bail in Amazonas State. [FT: Insetos associados a graviola, Annona muricata L. e biribá, Rollinia mucosa (Jacq.) Bail no estado do Amazonas]. Anais da Sociedade Entomológica do Brasil, 1995, Vol.24, No.1, pp.179-182, 10 ref.
(4) Martinez, D.; Tamayo Duque, I. (1988) Apate monachus attacking citrus

(1) This research is related to the control of Cerconota anonella (Sepp.) (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae), the most important pest of soursop, Annona muricata L.
(2) Within-orchard distribution patterns and diel patterns of oviposition, male calling, mating, feeding, and resting behaviours of Toxotrypana curvicauda were quantified in experimental and commercial papaya [pawpaw] orchards in the states of Morelos and Veracruz, Mexico.
(3) In a survey of insects associated with Annona muricata and Rollinia mucosa in Amazonas, Brazil, Cerconota anonella, Bephratelloides limai and Cratosomus bombina were the most common.
(4) The bostrichid Apate monachus is reported attacking citrus trees in a nursery in Jaquey Grande, Cuba, for the first time. It attacked the stem and formed extensive galleries, in the interior of which fungi were also present. Two individuals were found in each gallery, and 26 plants were infested, indicating that it was not an isolated case. The eradication of the pest was carried out by burning

4.07

no evidence

4.08

no evidence

4.09

Horticopia® Plant Information <http://www.hortpix.com/pc452.htm>

prefers full sun

4.1

Morton, J. 1987. Soursop. p. 75–80. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL. <http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/soursop.html>

Best growth is achieved in deep, rich, well-drained, semi-drysoil, but the soursop tree can be and is commonly grown in acid and sandy soil, and in the porous, oolitic limestone of South Florida and the Bahama Islands. 

4.11

4.12

no evidence

5.01

tree

5.02

tree

5.03

no evidence

5.04

tree

6.01

no evidence

6.02

(1) Lopes, J. G. V.; Almeida, J. I. L. de; Assunção, M. V.(1982) Preservation of germinative power in seeds of soursop (Annona muricata L.) under different temperatures and types of packing. [FT: Preservação do poder germinativo de sementes de graviola (Annona muricata L.) sob diferentes temperaturas e tipos de embalagens.] Proceedings of the Tropical Region, American Society for Horticultural Science., 1982, Vol.25, pp.275-280, 6 ref.
(2) Casas M., H.; Victoria S., M. A.; Zárate R., R. D. () Preliminary trials on sexual and asexual propagation of soursop (Annona muricata L.). [FT: Ensayos preliminares de propagación sexual y asexual de guanábano (Annona muricata L.)]. Acta Agronómica, 1984, Vol.34, No.4, pp.66-81, 6 ref.

(1) Seed viability remained high in seeds stored at 5 or 20 deg C in cloth, paper, plastic or glass packs, with 70% germination after 390 days' storage. Seed viability was lost after 210 days' storage at environmental temperature or 30 deg .
(2) In a trial comparing various seed treatments (mechanical scarification and/or soaking for 24 h in hot water or water at room temperature or no treatment) and 9 substrates, percentage seed germination and rate of germination were highest in control untreated seeds in a 1:1 mixture of soil + rice husks (92.5 and 97.5% germination after 60 and 90 days, respectively) and in a 1:1 mixture of soil + sawdust (91.7 and 95.8% germination after 60 and 90 days, respectively).

6.03

6.04

Khalid, M. Z. M. (1992) Self-compatibility in Annona muricata (Linn.) clones. Special Publication - Taichung District Agricultural Improvement Station, 1992, No.29, pp.445-448, 2 ref.

Although the species is self compatible, the female reproductive organs mature before the male and pollen grains from another flower are required for pollination.

6.05

(1) Khalid, M. Z. M (1992) Self-compatibility in Annona muricata (Linn.) clones. Special Publication - Taichung District Agricultural Improvement Station, 1992, No.29, pp.445-448, 2 ref.
(2) Falcão, M. de A.; Lleras, E.; Leite, A. M. C. (1982) Phenological and ecological features and productivity of Annona muricata in the Manaus region. [FT: Aspectos fenológicos, ecológicos e de produtividade de graviola (Annona muricata L.) na região de Manaus]. Acta Amazonica, 1982, Vol.12, No.1, pp.27-32, 17 ref.

(1) AB: Although the species is self compatible, the female reproductive organs mature before the male and pollen grains from another flower are required for pollination. Studies of compatibility within and between clones were carried out with the clones DB1, DB2 and DB3. Percentage fruit set under natural pollination was between 4.5% (DB3) and 6.25% (DB1). With assisted pollination, fruit set was 33.7, 31.2 and 37.5% in DB1, DB2 and DB3, respectively. The fruit set was higher in the crosses DB1 x DB2 (40%) and DB2 x DB3 (43%) than in the selfed clones. Optimum hand pollination procedures are described. (2) AB: Flowering and fruiting are continuous throughout the year in Annona muricata in the Manaus region, Brazil. There is a slight flowering peak between Sep. and Jan. and a slight increase in crop between July and Sep. There is a correlation between number of flowers and fruit set but not between number of flowers and mature fruit. Mean production is 16 kg/tree, similar to other regions of Brazil, but

6.06

no evidence

6.07

Nakasone, H. Y. (1972) Production feasibility for soursop. Hawaii Farm Science, 1972, Vol.21, No.1, pp.10-11, 4 ref.

Seedling soursop trees (Annona muricata) in an observation trial had a potential yield capacity of 8000 lb/acre from the 4th year, rising to 16 000 lb/acre in the 6th year.

7.01

no evidence

7.02

grown for fruits

7.03

no evidence

7.04

no evidence

7.05

no evidence

7.06

Green fruit color and odor suggest bat and other mammal dispersal, but unknown

7.07

no evidence

7.08

no evidence

8.01

(1) Cruz-Castillo, J. G.; Cedeño-Maldonado, A. (1989) Defoliation and the growth, flowering and productivity of Annona muricata L. [FT: Tratamientos de desfoliación y crecimiento, floración y producción del guanábano (Annona muricata L.)]. Journal of Agriculture of the University of Puerto Rico, 1989, Vol.73, No.2, pp.141-148, 10 ref.

(1)Young (3.8-year-old) trees were defoliated in Nov. 1985 and Dec. 1986, by hand, with 1.5% potassium iodide, or with Ethrel [ethephon] at 1500 or 2000 mg/litre. The growth of lateral shoots was significantly greater in all treatments compared with the untreated control. Nine months after treatment the highest total number of flowers was produced in the treatments with manual and ethrel (1500 mg/litre) defoliation (362 and 370 flowers, respectively). Annual fruit production was highest (15.27 kg/tree) in the treatment with potassium iodide; it was 9.36 kg/litre in the control and 3.77 and 2.54 kg/tree with Ethrel at 1500 and 2000 mg/litre, respectively. Manual defoliation gave 4.41 kg/tree. (considering the canopy with 3m in diameter, there is only 1.32 kg (ca.10 fruits)/square meter )

8.02

(1) Lopes, J. G. V.; Almeida, J. I. L. de; Assunção, M. V.(1982) Preservation of germinative power in seeds of soursop (Annona muricata L.) under different temperatures and types of packing. [FT: Preservação do poder germinativo de sementes de graviola (Annona muricata L.) sob diferentes temperaturas e tipos de embalagens.] Proceedings of the Tropical Region, American Society for Horticultural Science., 1982, Vol.25, pp.275-280, 6 ref. (2) Casas M., H.; Victoria S., M. A.; Zárate R., R. D. () Preliminary trials on sexual and asexual propagation of soursop (Annona muricata L.). [FT: Ensayos preliminares de propagación sexual y asexual de guanábano (Annona muricata L.)]. Acta Agronómica, 1984, Vol.34, No.4, pp.66-81, 6 ref.

(1) Seed viability remained high in seeds stored at 5 or 20 deg C in cloth, paper, plastic or glass packs, with 70% germination after 390 days' storage. Seed viability was lost after 210 days' storage at environmental temperature or 30 deg .(2) In a trial comparing various seed treatments (mechanical scarification and/or soaking for 24 h in hot water or water at room temperature or no treatment) and 9 substrates, percentage seed germination and rate of germination were highest in control untreated seeds in a 1:1 mixture of soil + rice husks (92.5 and 97.5% germination after 60 and 90 days, respectively) and in a 1:1 mixture of soil + sawdust (91.7 and 95.8% germination after 60 and 90 days, respectively).

8.03

no evidence of resistence

8.04

no evidence

8.05