Areas with agroecological potential for Agave cupreata (Trel. & Berger) plantations in Guerrero, Mexico
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Keywords
Maguey ancho, mezcal, SIG.
Resumen
Objective: to determine areas with agroecological potential for Agave cupreata (Trel. & Berger) plantations in the state of Guerrero, Mexico.
Design/ Methodology/ Approach: fifty-four specimens of A. cupreata were characterized. For each specimen, phenotypical, agroclimatic and agroecological data were recorded. Information from 123 herbarium specimens and information available in the literature were consulted. In addition, representatives of the State Council of Mezcal in Guerrero and other companies were interviewed, in order to identify possible areas excluded in the field. As well as in the specimens reviewed at the herbarium, which were validated with field observations. This information was processed in ArcGIS© version 10.3.1 (Esri Inc., 1999-2015, United States), with which a geographic information system was built and the distribution map was obtained, as well as the soil and climate and agroecological requirements of A. cupreata in the state of Guerrero. This information allowed the delimitation of the optimal, suboptimal and marginal areas for establishing agave plants. The validation of the information was made through field trips to specific areas to validate the agroecological variables of the potential areas defined in this study.
Results: areas comprising 673 084.16 ha with optimal agroecological potential, and 1 942 072.86 ha with suboptimal potential were determined.
Limitations/ Implications of the study: it is suggested to complement with studies on productivity, population ecology, intra- and inter population genetic variability, in plantations and natural population (called in Mexico ‘magueyeras’) of A. cupreata.
Findings/ Conclusions: in the state of Guerrero (Mexico), North, Central and Mountain regions were those with the highest number of optimal areas, which coincides with the areas where mezcal (a strong and dry alcoholic beverage distilled from the sap of Agave plants) production is concentrated.