Response of agave coyote (Agave spp.) to the application of slow-release fertilizers under field conditions.: Fertilization in agave.

Abstract

Agave coyote (Agave spp.) is a wild species used for its great potential for mezcal production in Oaxaca, Mexico. This study evaluated and compared the response in growth, nutrition and total soluble solids content (SST, sugars) in agave coyote to the application of slow-release fertilizers (FLL) under field conditions. Three treatments were evaluated under a completely randomized block design: control (without fertilization), Osmocote plus® (15-09-12) and Multicote Agri^® (18-06-12), with four replications, including 5 plants per treatment in each replication. After 10 months, plant height (AP), unfolded leaves number (NHD), stem circumference (CT), root volume (VR), root density (DR), leaves fresh weight (PFH); stem fresh weight (PFT); roots fresh weight (PFR); leaves dry weight (PSH); stem dry weight (PST); roots dry weight (PSR), SST, and leaf content of Ca²⁺, Na⁺, NO₃^- and K⁺ were measured. With reference to the control plants, the AP increased 21.2%, NHD 28.4%, PFH 77.0%, PFT 62.8%, PSH 177.0%, PST 53.1% and PSR 39.1% with the application of Osmocote. Multicote increased 15.3% AP, as well as the leaf content of K⁺ by 25.6%, NO₃^- by 26.2% and Na⁺ by 29.8%. CT, VR, DR, PFR, leaf content of Ca²⁺ and SST content did not respond significantly to fertilization. Agaves are plants with a long growing cycle, so a greater number of evaluations are needed to corroborate the response of this agave to FLL application.