The effects of leaf removal from selected sections of atemoya branches var. Gefner on shoot and flower formation were evaluated. The experiment was carried out in a commercial orchard in Maceió, State of Alagoas, Brazil. Twenty four adult plants pruned to 1.5 m height with a 4 x 2 m spacing were used. All mature lignified branches had their tip pruned up to the 4th leaf. After pruning the following treatments were applied: 1) total leaf removal from the branches; 2) removal of the first five leaves counted from the pruned tip; 3) removal of the five leaves between the 6th and 10th buds of the branches; 4) Control = no leaf removal. The results obtained at 30 days after leaf removal showed that the number of new shoots was statistically superior in the treatments with total leaf removal and removal of the first five leaves in relation to the two other treatments studied. The treatment with the removal of the first five leaves presented the highest number of branches with flowers (61%).
flowering; custard apple; leaf abscission; flowering control
