Morphological Characterization and Variation in the Total Content of Reducing Sugars in Wild Populations of &lt;i&gt;Agave angustifolia&lt;/i&gt; Haw

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doi:10.3844/ajabssp.2011.462.468

Abstract

Problem statement: Bacanora, a spirit, is distilled from wild populations of Agave angustifolia Haw. Loss of biodiversity must be taken into account when proposing sustainable management actions for this resource. In this study we identified the morphological variants of this species, as well as the weight and Total Content of Reducing Sugars (TRS) in the stem of the agave. Approach: Twenty-three morphometric variables were measured in three wild populations of A. angustifolia distributed along the western slopes of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range in Sonora, Mexico. The relationship of plant weight to stem TRS was evaluated using multivariate analyses. Results: Canonical discriminate analysis explained 100% of the morphological variation with just two canonical variables (p<0.01) and the Mahalanobis distances support the finding of significant differences among the three populations. TRS content did not vary significantly among populations, but did differ between individuals (p<0.01). Cluster analysis then revealed eight groups of morphologically related plants. Conclusion: Based on this analysis and previous studies of genetic variability and cytogenetic on the same individuals, morphologically and genetically related groups of agave were detected and also had heavier stems and a higher TRS content. These plants can be considered the basis for the selection of germplasm.

Highlights

Approved by the Mexican government in November 2000, the Denomination of Origin (DO) establishes a set of rules and geographicAgave angustifolia Haw. stands out from the delimitations, conferring the exclusive right to make diversity of the Agave genus in northeastern Mexico Bacanora on growers in 35 municipalities located in the owing to its potential as both a crop and for mountains of the state of Sonora
The rhizomes are modified stems that grow underground from the main stem, generating offshoots that develop Fig. 1: Agave angustifolia Haw. mother plant and her at the base and around the mother plants (Fig. 1) which, offshoots in the Sonora Sierra Mountain Range, once they reach the age of three years, can produce up Mexico to six offshoots
Population density and the proportion of adult A. angustifolia plants were significantly greater in Site 3 (S3)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Approved by the Mexican government in November 2000, the DO establishes a set of rules and geographic. The NOM-168-SCFIindustrialization in the production of the spirit known 2004, i.e., the set of rules and criteria designed to locally as Bacanora Its use represents both standardized quality parameters for Bacanora, was economically and socially promising activities for the approved on October 2005. Madre Mountain Range in Sonora, Mexico (Solano and angustifolia, making it immediately necessary to Nunez-Noriega, 2003) This species is found along the implement actions for the sustainable management of Mexican Pacific Coast down to Central America and is this species. The rhizomes are modified stems that grow underground from the main stem, generating offshoots that develop Fig. 1: Agave angustifolia Haw. mother plant and her at the base and around the mother plants (Fig. 1) which, offshoots in the Sonora Sierra Mountain Range, once they reach the age of three years, can produce up Mexico to six offshoots. The bulbils originate in the vegetative buds that are present on the peduncle and the lateral

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RESULTS

CONCLUSION