Resumen

ALVAREZ-DUARTE, M.C. et al. Traditional knowledge, cultivation and use of maguey pulquero in municipalities of Puebla and Tlaxcala. Polibotánica [online]. 2018, n.45, pp.205-222. ISSN 1405-2768.  https://doi.org/10.18387/polibotanica.45.15.

The man-maguey relationship in Mesoamerica, and the use of the plant for pulque production goes back 10 000 years ago and three thousand years respectively. This agro-industry that flourished in the last third of the nineteenth century is at risk even its traditional use and others more profitable uses such as the production of inulin and fructose syrup with high demand in the international market. The use of maguey was documented and compared in localities of four municipalities of Puebla and Tlaxcala, selected by means of stratified random sampling. Data of taxonomic, socio-economic, management and activities of producers, “tlachiqueros” and consumers, were collected through structured interviews and observational participation. The results showed seven types of maguey, on areas of three ha in average, imbricated with maize, barley and bean, of which cultural practices and activities proper of producers are described. The most important was the elaboration of pulque, using maguey plants from 10 to 14 years of age. The cultivation and use have been maintained over the years. The tools used for the recollection, transport and processing of aguamiel and production of pulque have been replaced by more resistant and durable materials, which have not necessarily improved the process and quality of pulque. The duration of the crop cycle, the low demand for pulque, low profitability and lack of standards for the protection of the plant have caused the decrease in the area of cropping of maguey and erosion of knowledge of cultivation and use which, if this trend is maintained the disappearance of maguey pulquero is inevitable. The permanence of maguey pulquero will depend on the actions carried out jointly by the appropriate authorities, members of the production chain and researchers by implementing programs that encourage interest and increasing the area of cultivation of this plant.

Palabras llave : mead; pulque; tlachiquero; production chain; cultivation.

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