ABSTRACT
Agave tequilana Weber var. Blue is used as the primary raw material in tequila production due to its fructans (inulin) content. This study evaluates the formulation of a plant-growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) consortium (Pseudomonas sp. and Shimwellia sp.) to increase sugars in A. tequilana under field conditions. A total of three doses were tested: low (5 L ha-1), medium (10 L ha-1), and high (15 L ha-1), with a cellular density of 1 × 108 CFU mL-1 and one control treatment (without application). Total reducing sugars (TRS), inulin, sucrose, glucose, fructose, and plant growth were measured in agave plants aged 4-5 years at 0 (T0), 3 (T3), 6 (T6), and 12 (T12) months. Yield was recorded at T12. The TRS increased by 3%, and inulin by 5.3% in the high-dose treatment compared to the control at T12. Additionally, a low content of sucrose, glucose, and fructose (approximately 1%) was detected. At T12, the weight of agave heads increased by 31.2% in the medium dose and 22.3% in the high dose compared to the control. The high dose provided a higher inulin content. The A. tequilana plants were five years old and exhibited growth comparable to the standards for 6-7-year-old plants. This study demonstrates a sustainable strategy for tequila production, optimizing the use of natural resources and enhancing industry performance through increased sugar content and yield.
ABSTRACT
Mass and energy fluxes were measured over a field of Agave tequilana in Mexico using eddy covariance (EC) methodology. Data were gathered over 252 d, including the transition from wet to dry periods. Net ecosystem exchanges (FN,EC ) displayed a crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) rhythm that alternated from CO2 sink at night to CO2 source during the day, and partitioned canopy fluxes (FA,EC ) showed a characteristic four-phase CO2 exchange pattern. Results were cross-validated against diel changes in titratable acidity, leaf-unfurling rates, energy exchange fluxes and reported biomass yields. Projected carbon balance (g C m(-2) year(-1) , mean ± 95% confidence interval) indicated the site was a net sink of -333 ± 24, of which contributions from soil respiration were +692 ± 7, and FA,EC was -1025 ± 25. EC estimated biomass yield was 20.1 Mg (dry) ha(-1) year(-1) . Average integrated daily FA,EC was -234 ± 5 mmol CO2 m(-2) d(-1) and persisted almost unchanged after 70 d of drought conditions. Regression analyses were performed on the EC data to identify the best environmental predictors of FA . Results suggest that the carbon acquisition strategy of Agave offers productivity and drought resilience advantages over conventional semi-arid C3 and C4 bioenergy candidates.