Early flower initiation allows ample manipulation of flowering time in cherimoya (Annona cherimola Mill.)

Flower initiation date and readiness to flowering in buds of different age were studied in ‘Fino de Jete’ cherimoya (Annona cherimola) cultivar in order to establish the limits for the manipulation of its flowering date. Flower initiation was analyzed by light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) collecting axillary buds from May to the following February, whereas the bud readiness to produce perfect flowers was determined by forcing buds of different age to sprout by means of leaf removal and tipping the new growth. SEM images confirm that cherimoya buds are differentiated into flowers almost a year before blooming. In this regard, axillary buds have already formed the sepals when the subtending leaf has just begun unfolding (week 0), while the petals are clearly visible in 1-week-old buds. Sectioning of paraffin-embedded buds illustrate that cherimoya buds are in fact a bud complex that 1 week after its inception comprises 4–5 buds of different size of which the two largest ones are reproductive, while the 2–3 smallest buds often remain undifferentiated at that time. The high capacity of flowering expressed by young buds that have been forced to grow proves that cherimoya meristems are early competent for flowering. No differences in fertility or in the time needed to reach anthesis after leaf removal were found among buds of different ages. Node position had no effect on bud break and flowering potential. The early flower initiation in cherimoya deduced from this work opens a wide temporal window for the experimental manipulation of flowering and harvest dates in this crop.