Abstract

ALVAREZ-SANCHEZ, M. E. et al. Fertility diagnosis and lime requirement of soils cultivated with blue agave (Agave tequilana Weber). Terra Latinoam [online]. 2010, vol.28, n.3, pp.287-293. ISSN 2395-8030.

Agave tequilana Weber cv. "azul" stands out because of its wide cultivated area and because it generates an important foreign income through tequila industry. This crop faces a production crisis due to the scarce knowledge of the factors regulating its growth and, especially, to the minimal research into the edaphic conditions under which it develops, resulting in lack of technology transference that may allow the highest yield. In the present study, the fertility of the soils cultivated with "azul" agave was assessed, with the objective of proposing more efficient management and nutrition practices. The obtained results showed that 52% of the evaluated soils had pH lower than 5.5; in 37% of the sites organic matter concentration was medium (1.81-2.30%) to low (0.81-1.20%), in 41 and 44% of the soils there were copper and zinc deficiencies, respectively, and 41% of the soils showed potassium deficiencies. Based on the aforesaid, lime requirements from 1.7 to 4 Mg ha^-1 were established in order to increase nutrient availability, mainly calcium and phosphorus. It also became necessary to improve the organic matter level in order to achieve better nutrient availability, especially for copper and zinc.

Keywords : Agave tequilana Weber; soil fertility; diagnosis; lime.

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