MAGUEY: CHARACTERISTICS, HABITAT, REPRODUCTION, PROPERTIES - BIOLOGY - 2025

The maguey or agave is a genus of monocarpic plants belonging to the agavaceae family. Originally from the Mesoamerican region, it is made up of various species that produce the largest amount of vegetable fiber consumed worldwide.

The various species of agave are an important resource for communities in semi-arid or arid areas where it is produced in the wild or commercially. It is a plantation of great socioeconomic impact due to the multiple uses depending on the region where it is grown.

Agave or maguey. Source: pexels.com

Among the various uses it is used as an ornamental plant or source of vegetable fuel. Likewise, it fulfills functions as a construction material, food source and raw material for mezcal and tequila, to cultural, recreational, medicinal and spiritual applications.

The maguey is a plant formed by long, thick and succulent leaves that commonly grow in a rosette arrangement. The large plant occupies a space of 1-2 m in height by 1.5-2.5 m in diameter.

Slow growing, the life cycle of the maguey culminates with the development of a floral scape; from this process the plant bears fruit and dies. Reproduction is generally carried out through basal suckers that develop at ground level.

Origin

The center of origin of the maguey is located in Mexico. Since ancient times, this plant was used by the first Mesoamerican natives due to its high fiber and sugar content.

The agavaceae family, to which the agave or maguey belongs, is native to Mexico. It is made up of 288 species, of which 166 correspond to species of the genus Agave -75% worldwide.

It is considered that the genus Agave began a process of evolution and genetic diversification approximately 12 million years ago, which is why the genus has reached a wide diversity, reaching over 200 species only in its place of origin.

General characteristics

Root

The main roots, shallow and branched, grow from the base of the stem, favoring the absorption of water and nutrients. Abundant secondary roots grow from the main roots, which tend to separate in periods of drought to ensure the survival of the plant.

Stem

The maguey has a very short woody stem through which the leaves are born in a rosette arrangement.

Leaves

The leaves, known as stalks, are lanceolate and ribbed in shape, 0.8-2 m long by 15-40 cm wide. The surface of the leaves is covered by a thick cuticle that prevents water loss.

Agave leaves. Source: pixbay.com

It has small spines along the margin of the leaves and a terminal spike at the apex of the same. The function of this structure is to decrease perspiration to increase water storage, and as protection against predators.

The color of the leaves is light green, sometimes greyish, bluish or various shades of green. They have abundant fiber content, which provides firmness and resistance to external damage.

Inflorescences

The paniculate inflorescences develop from a floral scape that can measure 4-8 m in height. The floral stem is covered by numerous succulent bracts that decrease in size as they reach the end of the inflorescence.

flowers

The yellow, tubular flowers are 7-11 cm long. The maguey is a monocarpic plant, that is, it blooms only once when it has reached maturity -15-30 years- and then dies.

Agave inflorescences. Source: pixabay.com

Fruit

The fruit is a rounded and elongated succulent trilocular capsule, greenish-yellow when immature, and dark brown when ripe. The seeds arranged in two rows per loculum measure 8-9 mm; they are shiny black when fertile.

Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Division: Magnoliophyta
• Class: Liliopsida
• Subclass: Liliidae
• Order: Asparagales
• Family: Asparagaceae
• Subfamily: Agavoideae
• Genus: Agave L. 1753

Synonymy

Bonapartea Haw. (1812).

Littaea Tagl. (1816).

Ghiesbreghtia Roezl (1861), nom. nud.

Phylogeny

The genus Agave, which is made up of approximately 20 species, gives the name to the Family Agaveaceae, within the Asparagales order - an order to which asparagus and orchids also belong.

Common name

The agave receives different common names, such as maguey, pita, cabuya, sisal, fique or mezcal, among the best known.

Habitat and distribution

The maguey is a perennial plant found in the ecosystems of xerophilous scrub, Pinus-Quercus forest and tropical deciduous forest. It is located from sea level to 2,500-3,000 meters above sea level, however, it develops better at mountain level between 1,000-2,000 meters above sea level.

This plant is used to an average climate of 22º C, with abundant direct solar radiation. Some species have adapted to temperate climates, as well as potted crops of the ornamental type.

Agave plant in its natural habitat. Source: pixabay.com

Its place of origin is located in Mexico, from where it was naturally dispersed throughout the tropical zone of America. Due to its ease of spread, it has been introduced in the tropical and dry regions around the planet.

In Mexico, the largest number of species is located in Oaxaca -23% -, and the greatest diversity of species is located in the western region of Mexico, in Jalisco. The Vale de Tehuacán-Cuicatlán region contains 15 species characterized by great taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity.

In America, the genus Agave is located from Colombia and Venezuela to the southern United States. Mexico, the United States, Guatemala and Cuba exhibit the greatest diversity of species grouped taxonomically due to their phylogenetic proximity.

Agroclimatic requirements

Floor

The maguey developed optimally in calcareous soils with a loamy-clay, loamy-sandy, loamy-silty texture, with abundant rockiness. This plant predominates in aridisol-type soils associated with arid climates, low humidity and low content of organic matter.

PH levels between 6.3-7.8 are ideal for the development of the maguey crop. However, plants have been found in extreme conditions of pH between 4.9-9.4.

The plant thrives well on thin, deep soils. In addition, it has an average tolerance to saline soils.

Temperature

The cultivation of maguey adapts to conditions of warm climates, the optimum annual average temperature is between 20-30º C. It is a plant that does not tolerate frost, even when it adapts to extreme environments with average temperatures between 2-40º C.

Light

The agave is adapted to conditions of full sun exposure, however, it tends to turn pale with excessive radiation. The geographical area and the climate where the maguey grows provides optimal radiation conditions for the growth of the crop. It is not very tolerant of shade.

Precipitation

The maguey is a crop with few water requirements. The regions with the highest maguey production, located in the state of Jalisco, in Mexico, report an average annual rainfall of 700-1000 mm.

RH

The best development of the crop occurs in regions with dry and moderately dry atmospheric conditions most of the time.

Topography

Plantations can thrive on steep slopes, with effective surface drainage, and soils unsuitable for agricultural production.

On steep slopes, conservation practices are required to guarantee optimal conditions. On flat land there may be accumulation of water or puddling that adversely affects the crop.

Reproduction

Asexual reproduction

The asexual propagation methods of maguey are through vegetative shoots, stem sections, rhizomes or suckers and apomictic bulblets from the inflorescences. This form of propagation is favorable for the cultivation of maguey, since the plant continuously contributes sugar and water to the new vegetative structures.

In fact, the good conditions of the mother plant give vitality to the shoots or bulbs to develop a new plant in a short time. However, this type of reproduction tends to reproduce clones of the original plant, reducing the genetic diversity of each species.

Sexual reproduction

Sexual reproduction is carried out through seeds that are produced once each life cycle, due to their monocarpic condition. The formation of viable seeds is determined by an effective transfer of pollen, carried out mainly by bats.

In the wild, propagation by seed is not very frequent, essentially due to the low production of seeds and the extreme conditions of the environment where the crop is developed.

Cultural work

Sowing

Before starting the sowing of a commercial plantation, work should be implemented to optimize crop yield. It is important to carry out weeding around the plant once a year after the rainy season.

In the first year, weeding can be carried out mechanically, trying to hill the earthy material around the plant. From the second year on, weeding is done manually prior to the rainy season, so as not to damage the superficial root system of the crop.

Maguey cultivation. Source: pexels.com

Irrigation

The maguey is a crop that requires regular but little intense irrigation; the goal is to keep the soil moist. During the rainy season it must be observed that the soil remains humid without becoming waterlogged.

In the vegetative development period at the beginning of spring, a gradual irrigation should be maintained, trying to maintain the precise humidity of the soil. During the summer, irrigation is applied on a regular basis, as the plant adapts to dry conditions and does not tolerate excess moisture.

Fertilization

The nutritional requirements of the maguey are minimal. To have a crop in optimal conditions, the application of organic fertilizers is recommended when establishing the plantation.

Initially, a compost based on cattle, sheep or goat manure can be applied in the planting hole. Later, annual fertilizations can be carried out before starting the rainy season.

Annual fertilization is carried out with chemical products based on phosphorus and nitrogen, applied at a rate of 1-2 kg / plant. The fertilization is carried out by mixing the product with the 20 cm of soil around the plant.

It is common to apply compost of bovine manure with maguey waste, and vermicompost if available.

Agronomic management

Pruning

Generally, maguey plants are not pruned, what is done is a thinning or elimination of the basal leaves that dry out. The purpose of this pruning is to eliminate waste material that can become a source of parasitic diseases for the plant.

Weed control

The main weed that is located in the cultivation of maguey are grasses or grasses that compete for moisture and soil nutrients. Likewise, in high humidity conditions, climbing weeds occur that can alter the quality of the leaves.

Weed control is done manually or by applying a systemic herbicide such as glyphosate. Herbicides have a broad spectrum of control and do not alter the quality of the crop, however, they represent a significant cost.

Ornamental use of agave. Source: pixabay.com

Control of pests and diseases

The main pests that attack the agave are the agave weevil (Scyphophorus acupunctatus), the white worm (Acentrocneme hesperiaris) and the rhinoceros beetle (Strategus aloeus). As well as the blind hen (Anomala sp.), The agave bug (Caulatops agavis), grasshoppers and rodents.

The pest control strategy is based on the elimination of sources of contamination, such as cleaning the plantation, and elimination of leaves and infested plants, mainly in mature plants.

Likewise, biological control and the application of insecticides in the first stages of the insect are recommended. Rodents are controlled with poisoned baits or glue traps.

The diseases with the highest incidence in the maguey are the bud rot or bacterial wilt (Erwinia sp.), Smallpox (Asterina mexinaca), marginal spot (Alternaria sp.) And dry point (Fusarium sp.)

The control is preventive, eliminating sources of contamination, or foliar applications of contact fungicides.

Health properties

Agave contains two chemical elements -saponins and fructans- that have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and stimulating properties of the immune system. In addition, it contains the fructan inulin, which is a natural sweetener that does not alter the body's cholesterol levels.

Among the health benefits are:

- Decrease in glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.

- It prevents obesity problems and helps to lose weight, due to its high fiber content and low digestibility.

- Regeneration of bone mass, as they improve the absorption of calcium and magnesium.

- Decreases ammonium levels in patients with liver cirrhosis and relieves symptoms associated with inflammation of the liver.

- Promotes good digestion due to the presence of probiotics that promote the growth of bifidobacteria in the intestine.

References

1. 1. Agave (2019) Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Recovered at: es.wikipedia.org
   2. Castro-Díaz, AS, & Guerrero-Beltrán, JA (2013). The agave and its products. Selected Topics from Food Engineering, 7 (2), 53-61.
   3. Agave or maguey species (2018) Botanical-Online. Recovered at: botanical-online.com
   4. Pérez Hernández, E., Chávez-Parga, MDC, & González Hernández, JC (2016) Review of agave and mezcal. Colombian Journal of Biotechnology, 18 (1), 148-164.
   5. Pérez Ramos, A., Rodríguez Ortega, A., Nieto Aquino, JC, Callejas Hernández, J. & Portillo Márquez, L. (2000) Comparison of two sowing systems of Agave salmiana. Polytechnic University of Francisco I. Madero. 71 pp.
   6. Reynoso-Santos, R. (2012). Taxonomic identification of agaves (Agave ssp.) Used for the production of comiteco liquor in Chiapas, Mexico. Agro Productivity, 5 (4).
   7. Ruiz et al. (1999) Agroecological Requirements of Crops. National Institute of Forestry, Agricultural and Livestock Research. Recovered at: inifapcirpac.gob.mx