Irrigation and slow-release fertilizers promote the nutrition and growth of Agave angustifolia Haw.

Abstract

The nutrition and growth of Agave angustifolia Haw. were evaluated with respect to three levels of available soil moisture content (ASM): (20, 50, and 80%) and three slow-release fertilizers (SRF): Mutigro (6)® [M6], Multigro (3)® [M3], Turf Builder® [TB] using a completely randomized two-factor design. Plant response variables were plant height (PH), number of leaves (NL), stem diameter (SD), stem solid soluble content (°Bx), leaf area (LA), root thickness, length, density, and volume [(RT), (RL), (RD), (RV)], leaf, stem, and root fresh weight [(LFW), (SFW), (RFW)], leaf, stem, and root dry weight [(LDW), (SDW), (RDW)], and leaf content of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg. Leaf N and P content increased 39.5% and 10.1%, respectively, with 80% ASM. All growth variables except RD were favored by irrigation. Agave plants grew more with 80% ASM. Relative to the control, leaf P and Mg content increased 7.2 and 7.0% with M6. RL, LFW, LDW, SFW, SDW, SD, and LA increased 13.1, 45.1, 62.8, 35.2, 47.8, 16.9, and 41.0%, respectively, with M6. SD increased 15.2% and LA 41.2% with M3. Highest values of PH, SD, RT, RV, LFW, LDW, SFW, SDW, RFW, RDW, and leaf content of N were recorded with M6 + 80% ASM. SRF and irrigation improved nutrition and growth of agave plants.