SEEDLING GROWTH OF TWO MEZCAL SPECIES AS AFFECTED BY SOIL TYPE AND FERTILIZATION RATE

Abstract

Effect of fertilization in agaves at the Mixteca region has not been assessed, even though they are utilized for mezcal production. In this study, seedling growth of two species (Agave angustifolia Haw. and A. potatorum Zucc.) cultivated under greenhouse conditions in three soil types (Acatlima, Miltepec and Yodoyuxi soils) combined with four fertilization rates (0-0-0, 30-20-15, 60-40-30 and 90-60-45 kg of N-P-K ha^-1), was evaluated. A factorial arrangement 2 x 3 x 4 with 24 treatments and four replicates and 96 experimental units (plants) were distributed in a completely random design. Plant height and diameter, number of unfolded leaves, and dry biomass (BS) were measured 7 months after germination. Analyses of variance and Tukey tests (α = 0.05) were carried out for means comparison. It was found that the soil of Miltepec allowed agave plantlets to generate 300 and 220 % more BS than the Acatlima or Yodoyuxi soils, respectively. Seedlings fertilized with 30-20-15 kg de N-P-K ha^-1 yielded 58.3 % more BS than seedlings without fertilization. Interactions between main factors had not any important contribution on agave growth. It is concluded that plantlet growth and yield of A. angustifolia and A. potatorum were promoted by the soil of Miltepec and by fertilization with 30-20-15 kg of N-P-K ha^-1.