Custard Apple Farming in India: Complete Beginner's Guide

Research published by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the National Horticulture Board confirms that custard apple, known as sitaphal in Maharashtra and sharifa in North India, is one of the most drought-tolerant fruit crops suitable for dry and semi-arid regions of India. Studies document net returns of ₹1.5 to ₹3 lakh per acre annually under proper management in dryland areas of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. Unlike many fruit crops that demand rich irrigated soils, custard apple thrives in shallow, rocky, and low-fertility soils where other crops fail, making it an ideal choice for farmers in rain-fed areas looking for a reliable perennial income source.

Climate and Soil Requirements

ICAR research confirms custard apple grows best in tropical and subtropical climates with temperatures between 25°C and 40°C. The crop can tolerate mild frost once established but young plants below 2 years of age are highly frost-sensitive. Annual rainfall of 500 to 750 mm is sufficient for custard apple cultivation, making it naturally suited to the rain shadow regions of Western Ghats, Deccan Plateau, and Vindhya ranges. Well-drained sandy loam to medium black soils with pH between 6.5 and 7.5 are ideal. Waterlogging even for short periods causes root rot and rapid plant death. Farmers with black cotton soil should create raised beds or mounds before planting to ensure drainage.

Recommended Varieties for Indian Farmers

The National Research Centre for Arid Horticulture and ICAR have identified and released several improved custard apple varieties suited to Indian conditions. Arka Sahan, developed by IIHR Bangalore, is the most widely recommended variety for commercial cultivation, producing fruits weighing 200 to 400 grams with fewer seeds and a smooth skin that is preferred by markets. Balanagar is the dominant traditional variety in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, known for its sweet taste and high pulp percentage. Red Sitaphal, a natural mutation found in tribal areas of Madhya Pradesh, commands a premium price of 30 to 50 percent more than green varieties in urban markets due to its attractive appearance. Washington variety produces very large fruits above 500 grams and is recommended where export quality production is the goal.

Planting Season and Spacing

ICAR guidelines recommend planting custard apple at the onset of monsoon between June and August when soil moisture is adequate for establishment. The standard spacing recommended for commercial orchards is 5 meters by 5 meters, accommodating 160 plants per acre. Under high-density planting systems being trialed at IIHR, a spacing of 4 meters by 4 meters with 250 plants per acre has shown 35 to 40 percent higher early yields in the first 4 years before canopy management becomes necessary. Pits of 60 cm by 60 cm by 60 cm size should be dug one month before planting and filled with a mixture of topsoil, 10 kg of well-decomposed farmyard manure, 500 grams of single superphosphate, and 100 grams of Chlorpyrifos to prevent termite attack.

Irrigation Management

Research from CRIDA Hyderabad confirms that custard apple is highly sensitive to waterlogging but requires timely irrigation at critical growth stages. In the first year, irrigate newly planted saplings every 7 to 10 days during dry periods. From the second year onward, custard apple orchards in Maharashtra are typically managed as rainfed systems with supplemental irrigation only during extended dry spells from December to May. Drip irrigation with an emission rate of 4 litres per hour per plant at 3 to 4 drippers per plant has shown yield increases of 25 to 30 percent over flood irrigation in CRIDA trials while reducing water use by 40 percent. Irrigation must be completely stopped during the June to October monsoon period to prevent root disease.

Fertilizer Schedule for Maximum Yield

The recommended fertilizer schedule from NHB for custard apple per plant per year from the third year onward is 20 to 25 kg of farmyard manure applied before the monsoon in May, 500 grams of nitrogen split into two doses in June and September, 250 grams of phosphorus applied in June, and 500 grams of potash split between June and September. Micronutrient deficiency, particularly zinc and boron, is commonly observed in custard apple orchards on alkaline soils. Soil application of 25 grams of zinc sulphate and foliar spray of 0.3 percent borax solution at flowering stage significantly improves fruit set and reduces fruit drop according to research published by the Anand Agricultural University.

Expected Yield and Income

Custard apple trees begin bearing fruit from the third year after planting. NHB data shows average yields of 40 to 60 kg per tree in the fourth and fifth year, increasing to 80 to 120 kg per tree in a mature 8 to 10 year old orchard. With 160 plants per acre and an average yield of 80 kg per plant in a mature orchard, total production reaches 12,800 kg per acre. At prevailing farm gate prices of ₹25 to ₹50 per kg depending on variety and market, gross income per acre ranges from ₹3.2 lakh to ₹6.4 lakh annually. After deducting cultivation costs of ₹80,000 to ₹1.2 lakh per acre, net income of ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh per acre per year is achievable in a well-managed mature orchard.