Micropropagation of Agave (Agave potatorum Zucc.) through Direct Organo-genesis

Abstract

Populations of Agave potatorum Zucc. have been overexploited from their habitat for the commercial production of mezcal, a traditional Mexican liquor. For this species, micropropagation is the only method for cloning selected genotypes. The aim of this study was to establish an efficient protocol for the in-vitro propagation of A. potatorum by use of individual shoots. In the propagation stage, the interaction between different concentrations of the cytokinin benzylaminopurine (BAP: 0, 1.5, and 3.0 mg L^–1)and the auxin indole acetic acid (IAA: 0, 1.5, and 3.0 mg L^–1) was evaluated. For in-vitro rooting, the interaction between different auxin concentrations, namely naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA: 0, 1.5 and 3.0 mg L^–1) and IAA (0, 1.5 and 3.0 mg L^–1) was evaluated. In the propagation stage, the highest number of shoots was obtained with the combinations of 3.0 mg L^–1 BAP + 3.0 mg L^–1 IAA, 1.5 mg L^–1 BAP + 3.0 mg L^–1 IAA, and 3.0 mg L^–1 BAP + 1.5 mg L^–1 IAA, which yielded 9.87, 9.73, and 9.73 shoots per explant, respectively.  In the rooting stage, the best shoot development was observed in the control treatment and when only 3.0 mg L^–1 IAA was supplemented. Finally, after the rooting stage, the plantlets obtained were acclimatized and grown in the field, yielding a survival rate of 98-100%. In conclusion, this propagation protocol contributes to obtaining commercial propagules suitable for establishment in the field.