Agave cupreata, its use as a raw material in the state of Guerrero
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.38128/cienciayfilosofa.v15i17.126Keywords:
Agave cupreata, utilization, legislation, in vitro, economic importancAbstract
This article aims to analyze the use of the papalote maguey (Agave cupreata Trel. & A. Berger) in Guerrero, Mexico, considering its ecological, economic, and cultural issues, as well as the challenges associated with its sustainable management. A literature review was conducted using national and international scientific databases, selecting peer-reviewed literature related to its physiology, distribution, cultivation, productive use, and regulatory framework. The evidence consulted shows that the sustained increase in demand for the spirit (mezcal) has intensified the extraction of wild populations, favoring monoculture practices and putting pressure on the ecosystems where the species grows. This situation has generated socio-environmental impacts, a decrease in the genetic diversity of the agave, soil degradation, and alterations in local ecological dynamics. Furthermore, limitations in the application of current regulations governing its use as a non-timber forest resource were identified. Given this situation, alternatives focused on sustainability are analyzed, including sustainable forest management, the implementation of reforestation programs, the strengthening of community organization, and the use of micropropagation techniques for the mass production of plants with sanitary quality and genetic conservation potential. It is concluded that the integration of effective regulation, biotechnological innovation, and comprehensive management strategies is fundamental to ensuring the continued existence of Agave cupreata as a strategic resource for the mezcal sector in the state of Guerrero.
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