The Tequilana agave It is a perennial succulent plant belonging to the Agavaceae family native to the xerophilous regions of Mexico. It is characterized by its long lanceolate, almost flat, blue-green leaves with a terminal spine of 2 cm of dark red color..
Indeed the species Tequilana agave, Known as blue agave, it has multiple uses as food, forage, construction, and medicine. However, its main use is the elaboration of tequila with exclusive designation of origin for the states of Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit and Tamaulipas in Mexico.
The commercial blue agave crops are distributed at a north latitude between 5º and 25º. In fact, the crop is adapted to subtropical semi-arid and semi-humid regions with warm, semi-warm and temperate thermal regimes..
This plant has a high content of soluble solids -33% -, consisting of fructans -70% -, cellulose -25% - and lignin -5% -. In addition, it has 67% humidity, and a large amount of essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals.
In Mexico, the production, industrialization and commercialization of products derived from Tequilana agave are officially regulated. In this regard, for a drink to receive the name of tequila, it must be obtained from 100% sugars from the Tequilana agave Weber blue variety.
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The Tequilana agave it is a succulent plant whose root system is made up of a thick central axis and numerous secondary roots. These thick, spreading secondary roots can reach a radius of 1.2-1.8 m in length..
It has a thick and short stem that barely reaches 30-50 cm in height when ripe. The central stem called pineapple, heart or head is the usable part of the plant, where sugars accumulate during ripening.
The lanceolate leaves, light green or grayish green, are firm and rigid, 90-120 cm long. Being broad at the base and narrow towards the end, with wavy margins and with small, regularly spaced 3-6 mm spines.
The apex of the leaves has flexible red to dark brown spines 1-2 cm long. The blue agave plant at the end of its vegetative period -8-12 years- produces an inflorescence 5-6 m high.
The densely branched panicle in the terminal part has 20-25 elongated and diffuse umbels of yellowish-green flowers and pinkish stamens. Many times a large number of flowers detach without being pollinated and are replaced by small bulblets or flower buds..
The fruits are oval capsules, however, the few fruiting structures that manage to form contain numerous white seeds. Both the seeds and the flower bulblets have low viability, so they are not commonly used as a means of reproduction..
The Tequilana agave it requires climates with mild winters and delimited rainy periods. In fact, rainfall must supply between 1,000-1,200 mm per year, with an average annual temperature of 20ºC..
In this regard, the temperature interval where the plant effectively expresses its productive characteristics is between 15-25º C during the day. As well as 10-15º C at night, being negatively affected by extreme temperatures lower than 5º C and higher than 35º C.
Soils must be light, clay loam, well drained, permeable, with a high content of oxides, potassium, iron, magnesium silicates and silica. With slightly alkaline pH, this being an adaptable factor, since the pH can vary from 6.0 to 8.5.
The best terrain is of volcanic origin, preferably above 1,500 meters above sea level. It is important to carry out the plantations in full sun exposure, in regions where cloudy conditions are maintained for 65-10 days a year..
The species Tequilana agave It is native to Mexico, being cultivated exclusively in the states of Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit and Tamaulipas. The agave plantations to make tequila must be in the area with Denomination of Origin Tequila (DOT).
The territory of origin has been established as that comprised by all the municipalities where the agave is grown in the state of Jalisco. As well as seven municipalities in the state of Guanajuato, thirty from Michoacán, eight from Nayarit and eleven from Tamaulipas.
The Tequilana agave It is a species of great importance at the agro-industrial level. The highest percentage of agricultural production is destined for the elaboration of the alcoholic beverage with a denomination of origin called tequila.
Blue agave contains a large amount of fermentable sugars, including fructose, glucose, and inulin; These are used, in addition to alcoholic beverages, for the production of food additives such as syrups.
The fibers from the cut leaves are used to obtain threads used in the manufacture of fabrics, blankets, backpacks or sacks. In addition, due to their high fiber content, the sheets are used for ceilings or roofs, drainage channels, beams or wash basins..
In a traditional way, the leaves are used as brushes or brooms, for the manufacture of baskets, containers and the thorns as nails. On a therapeutic level, scientific studies have determined that agave helps combat obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, gastritis and ulcers..
Likewise, the sugars present in the sap of the leaves act as prebiotics, regulating the secretion of insulin, incretin or GLP.1. It also favors the growth of good bacteria, reducing the growth of pathogens that cause toxic compounds in the intestine..
The multiplication of the agave is carried out by seeds, bulblets or suckers, the latter being the commercial form most used to reproduce the species. It is recommended to cut the suckers of healthy plants, when they reach a height of 50 cm.
An agave plant is ready to reproduce at 3-5 years, producing one to two suckers a year. The sowing of the sucker is carried out before the rainy season, the new plant must be buried, covered with earth and rammed.
For the plant to reach its productive maturity, 8-10 years must elapse, time in which continuous maintenance must be carried out. It includes cleaning the land, weed control, fertilization, irrigation and control of pests and diseases..
In order to guarantee the homogeneity of the plantation, a careful selection of mother plants and suckers must be carried out. Likewise, during growth, tasks are carried out that promote the production and conservation of sugars in the heart of the agave..
As of the sixth year, the practice of barbeo de escobeta of the leaves is carried out in order to promote their maturity. This activity consists of making horizontal cuts of the leaves, leaving the surface flat, also helping with the prevention of pests and diseases..
Upon reaching maturity, a strict barbeing is carried out, leaving the pineapple without stalks. During the dry months the pineapple begins to reduce its size and the inflorescence called quiote originates.
This fast-growing structure can consume the sugars accumulated for years, making it advisable to cut or cut it. Subsequently, the harvest or jima is carried out, which consists of collecting the central part - pineapple, heart - where the greatest amount of sugars is concentrated.
Of the main pests associated with Tequilana agave larvae of the blind hen beetle are found (Phyllophaga crinita) and the rhinoceros beetle (Strategus aloeus). As well as the agave or pineapple weevil (Scyphophorus acupunctatus), a species of polyphagous beetle of the Curculionidae family.
At the level of the foliar area, cermbicides are common (Acanthoderes funerarius), scales (Acutaspis agavis), mealybugs (Planococcus citri), as well as core cutters and borers. In this regard, chemical control with systemic organophosphate insecticides, cypermethrins or contact pyrethroids is vital to keep pests out..
With regard to diseases, in the area of origin of the Tequilana agave it is common to find infections caused by fungi or bacteria. Indeed, root and stem rot occurs (Fusarium oxysporum) and bacterial wilt (Erwiniana sp.).
Symptoms of fusarium rot are manifested as soft rot of the bud, progressing to the intermediate leaves. Regarding bacterial wilt, wrinkling of the tissues is observed due to dehydration or death of the roots..
To control the fungus, the application of systemic fungicides from the group of triazoles or contact fungicides is recommended. For bacterial infection, preventive applications of broad spectrum bactericides based on gentamicin sulfate 2% + oxytetracycline hydrochloride 6% are favorable..
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