Red Sitaphal
A striking red/purple-skinned (anthocyanin-pigmented) custard apple type with pinkish flesh, grown as a specialty and novelty fruit for premium and niche markets; otherwise cultivated much like the green types.
Quick facts
- Type
- Grafted plant (coloured type)
- Season
- All seasons
- Maturity period
- First fruit ~3тАУ4 years; fruit matures SepтАУNov
- Expected yield
- Moderate; premium novelty fruit
- Suitable soil
- All soils
About this variety
Red Sitaphal covers the red/purple-skinned, anthocyanin-pigmented custard apple types with pinkish-tinged flesh тАФ visually striking fruit grown as a specialty and novelty crop for premium and niche markets that pay a premium for the unusual colour. Agronomically it is grown much like the standard green types: the same dryland hardiness, the same need for hand-pollination and firm-mature harvesting. It suits a grower targeting a high-value, differentiated market rather than bulk supply, and is best planted as grafted plants for known fruit quality.
Key characteristics
Sowing & cultivation
- Spacing5 ├Ч 5 m (~175 trees/ha)
Yield & maturity
Maturity period
First fruit ~3тАУ4 years; fruit matures SepтАУNov
Expected yield
Moderate; premium novelty fruit
Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.
Pest & disease considerations
Major diseases
- No special resistance widely documented
Advantages & considerations
Why farmers may choose it
- Striking red/purple fruit commanding a premium in novelty and niche markets.
- Same dryland hardiness as the standard green types.
Things to consider
- A niche/premium crop with moderate yield тАФ best for a differentiated market, not bulk supply.
Suitable regions
States this variety is recommended for тАФ check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.
- Maharashtra
- Andhra Pradesh
- Karnataka