BIOFERTILIZATION IN THE GROWTH OF Agave Angustifolia Haw. SEEDLINGS UNDER NURSERY CONDITIONS

Abstract

Agave angustifolia is a species native to Mexico that is used to obtain various products. However, its traditional production presents several challenges. In this context, propagation and fertilization methods could serve as alternatives to improve agave production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of biofertilization on the growth of A. angustifolia seedlings under nursery conditions. An experiment was established using a completely randomized 3×3 factorial arrangement. The factors studied were type of propagation (seed, offshoot, and in vitro) and the concentration of the organic solution (control 0%, 5%, and 10%). The combination of these factors resulted in nine treatments with 21 replicates. Eighteen-month-old plants were transplanted into pots. Ninety days after transplanting (DAT), the seedlings were watered biweekly with the organic solution. At 150 DAT, plant height, rosette diameter, length and width of the main leaf, and number of leaves per plant were recorded. An analysis of variance and Tukey's test (?=0,05) were performed. Seedlings derived from offshoots had a larger rosette diameter (75 cm). The 5% and 10% solutions influenced rosette height (58.5 to 61 cm) and diameter (85 to 75 cm), as well as the number of leaves per plant (8 to 9 leaves). The length of the main leaf (61.9 cm) increased with the 10% solution. These findings indicate that biofertilization represents a favorable alternative for improving the adaptation and growth of A. angustifolia plants under nursery conditions.