Abstract

HERRERA-PEREZ, Lusmila et al. Ecological practices in Agave tequilana Weber under two agricultural systems in Tequila, Jalisco. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2017, vol.8, n.spe18, pp.3711-3724. ISSN 2007-0934.  https://doi.org/10.29312/remexca.v8i18.216.

The objective of this research was to compare two ways of agrosystem management for production of Agave tequilana Weber var. azul in the Municipality of Tequila, Jalisco at the basis on agroecological practices made by producers under the traditional agrosystem with polycropping (ATP) and under the conventional agrosystem with monocropping (ACM). A survey was applied to 25 ATP producers and 25 ACM producers in 2015. Eight cropping practices were considered: 1) intercropping (polycropping); 2) addition of organic matter to soils through pasturing; 3) agave plantation in contour levels; 4) soil and water conservation practices; 5) crop rotation; 6) land rest; 7) age staggering of agave plants; and 8) reduction of agrochemicals for weed control. The results show that producers made more agroecological practices in ATP than in ACM. Practices of intercropping and crop rotation have the highest significant differences between ATP and ACM. An index of agroecological practices in Agave tequilana (IPAAT) based on the number of agroecological practices. Most of ACM (60%) were classified at medium level (3 to 4 agroecological practices) and most of ATP (72%) were classified at high or very high level (5 to 7 practices). The conclusion is that ATP tend to be more sustainable than ACM because they have a higher IPAAT.

Keywords : Agave tequilana Weber var. azul; agroecological management; agrosystem; monocropping; polycropping.