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In situ diversity and maintanenace of traditional Agave landraces used in spirits production in West-Central Mexico

Diversidad y mantenimiento in situ de Agaves mezcaleros en el occidente de Mexico

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Abstract

Extensive monovarietal cultivation of Age tequilana Weber var. azul is threatening the diversity of the germplasm used in traditional Agave spirits production in west-central Mexico. To promote the preservation, use, and management of this germplasm, an ethnobotanical and morphological study was done in the center and south of the state of Jalisco, Mexico. The richness, distribution, and morphological variation of wild and cultivated Agave populations were characterized, and producers’ roles in germplasm maintenance and diversification were analyzed. Results indicated that: 1) A. angustifolia and A. rhodacantha are the primary gene pools used for selection; 2) Traditional landraces are differentiated morphological entities; and 3) In situ maintenance and increase of Agave germplasm diversity are the result of constant selection of wild germplasm, producer management of populations in the wild-domesticated gradient, and preservation of old landraces. Preservation of Agave germplasm diversity in west-central Mexico requires increased cultivation and valuation of traditional landraces.

Resumen

El cultivo extensivo de A. tequilana Weber var. azul amenaza la diversidad del germoplasma de Agave utilizado en la producción tradicional de bebidas destiladas en el centro-occidente de México. Para promover su conservación, uso y manejo realizamos un estudio etnobotánico y morfológico en el centro y sur de Jalisco. Caracterizamos la riqueza, distribución y variación morfológica de poblaciones silvestres y cultivadas de Agave y analizamos el papel de los campesinos en el mantenimiento y diversificación del germoplasma. Encontramos que: 1) A. angustifolia y A. rhodacantha son los acervos primarios de selección; 2) Los cultivares tradicionales son entidades morfológicas diferenciadas; y 3) El mantenimiento in situ y diversificación es resultado de la selección constante de germoplasma silvestre, manejo campesino de poblaciones del gradiente silvestre-domesticado y conservación de cultivares antiguos. Para conservar la diversidad del germoplasma de Agave en el centrooccidente de México se requiere incrementar la valoración y cultivo de los cultivares tradicionales.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Investigaci⤵ Científica de Yucatán, Calle 43 No. 130, Col. Chuburná de Hidalgo, 97200, Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico

    Ofelia Vargas-Ponce, Daniel Zizumbo-Villarreal & Patricia Colunga-García Marin

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  1. Ofelia Vargas-Ponce
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  2. Daniel Zizumbo-Villarreal
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  3. Patricia Colunga-García Marin
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Correspondence to Patricia Colunga-García Marin.

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Vargas-Ponce, O., Zizumbo-Villarreal, D. & Colunga-García Marin, P. In situ diversity and maintanenace of traditional Agave landraces used in spirits production in West-Central Mexico. Econ Bot 61, 362–375 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1663/0013-0001(2007)61[362:ISDAMO]2.0.CO;2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1663/0013-0001(2007)61[362:ISDAMO]2.0.CO;2

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