Varietal and germinative characterization of Agave potatorum (Asparagaceae) seeds with different origins

Abstract

<p><strong>Background: </strong><em>Agave potatorum</em> reproduces mainly through seeds is widely collected for the mezcal production, and there is currently a marked decrease in their wild populations. Therefore, to contribute to its sustainable use, it is important to characterize the morphology of its seeds and to know their germinative characteristics.</p><p><strong>Research question:</strong> Do the year and the collection site have an effect on the size, color, viability and germination capacity of <em>Agave potatorum</em> seeds?</p><p><strong>Species studied</strong>: <em>Agave potatorum</em> Zucc.</p><p><strong>Study site and period of research:</strong> Seeds of <em>Agave potatorum</em> were collected in Oaxaca, Mexico: Miahuatlán (MIAH), in 2014; Coixtlahuaca (COIX), in 2015; and Zaachila (ZAA), in 2015 and 2016.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> For the seeds, we analyzed four physical descriptors, five color coordinates, and nine germination variables. We used a completely randomized design with four replications (100 seeds). An analysis of variance, a comparison of means, and a linear correlation analysis were performed.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> We found that the ZAA16 seeds showed the highest values (<em>P</em> < 0.05) for weight and size, and for the luminosity coordinate (L*, 15.2). Color coordinate values revealed a black color of the seeds, which significantly diminished in luminosity with seeds age and varied with their origin. The coordinate L* was correlated significantly with the total dry weight of seedlings and seed volume.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> <em>Agave potatorum </em>seeds significantly changed their physical dimensions and germination capacity according to their origin. The luminosity of the black color of seeds decreased with seed age and was correlated with seed volume and seedling total dry weight.</p>

Agave Fructans in Oaxaca’s Emblematic Specimens: Agave angustifolia Haw. and Agave potatorum Zucc.

“…The high levels of diversity found in the A. potatorum plants of different ages might be due to the way this species reproduces—mainly through sexual reproduction. Seedlings produced from seeds are highly heterogeneous and show slow growth [ 26 ]. In contrast, sexual reproduction in A. angustifolia is practically nonexistent or very rare, since humans remove the inflorescences prior to harvest; therefore, A. angustifolia is propagated exclusively by vegetative means.…”

Targeting DSS-induced ulcerative colitis: evaluating the therapeutic potential of WPI–stachyose conjugates

“…14 Controlled Maillard reactions lead to glycoconjugates, which exhibit distinct properties compared to free carbohydrates or native proteins. 15 These glycoconjugates have shown the capability to hinder Escherichia coli adhesion to mucin. 16 The combination of improved digestibility and prebiotic activity holds significant potential in influencing gut pathogenesis.…”

Inorganic fertilization improves Agave potatorum Zucc growth and nutrition

“…Mexico possesses 90% of the world's species of the Agave genus (García-Mendoza, 2010). Agaves are economically important for the state of Oaxaca (Mexico) because they are the raw material to produce mezcal (Ortíz-Hernández et al, 2018), a traditional alcoholic beverage. In addition to its uses as food, medicine, ornament, fertilizer, spirits, housing construction material and agricultural implements, agaves have potential for intensive fuel production and for carbon sequestration (García-Mendoza, 2010).…”

“…This limits natural sexual reproduction, and unfortunately, there is no record that A. potatorum reproduces asexually. This irrational extraction of wild agave populations has caused a considerable decrease in populations (Ortíz-Hernandez et al, 2018). Since A. potatorum grows mainly in the wild and is rarely cultivated, limited information is currently available regarding its agronomic management.…”