Annona spp. atemoya, cherimoya, soursop and sugar apple.

Abstract This chapter focuses on the origin, geographical distribution, morphological, physiological and phenological characteristics, cultivation history, breeding, vegetative propagation methods and molecular genetics and genomics of various Annona species, such as atemoya (A. cherimola × A. squamosa), cherimoya (A. cherimola), soursop (A. muricata) and sugar apple (A. squamosa). The importance of genetic manipulation in improving the pest and disease resistance, yield and quality of Annona spp. is also discussed.