Resumen

HUERTA-ZAVALA, Jorge et al. Agroecological characterization of Agave rhodacantha Trel. and potential areas for its cultivation in the state of Guerrero. Rev. mex. de cienc. forestales [online]. 2025, vol.16, n.91, pp.112-135.  Epub 29-Sep-2025. ISSN 2007-1132.  https://doi.org/10.29298/rmcf.v16i91.1572.

Agave rhodacantha is a little-known species due to the small size and scattered distribution of its populations. It has recently been identified in the Norte Region of the state of Guerrero, where it is appreciated for its organoleptic properties and high yields in mezcal production. However, its current spread does not adequately consider edaphoclimatic requirements or the impacts associated with the loss of natural vegetation. The objective of this study was to determine the distribution areas and agroecological requirements of A. rhodacantha as a first step toward optimizing its cultivation in Guerrero, improving production yields, and preventing damage to native vegetation. Thirty-two specimens were analyzed in the field, recording phenotypic, agroclimatic, and agroecological data, supplemented with information from 76 herbarium specimens (MEXU), 63 validated observations from iNaturalist, and semi-structured interviews with local producers. The information was integrated using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which made it possible to define optimal, suboptimal, and marginal agroecological areas in the state. 397 518.35 ha were defined as optimal, 1 218 307.30 ha as suboptimal, and 66 079.97 ha as marginal. The Norte, La Montaña and Centro regions have the largest optimal areas, where warm subhumid or semi-dry semi-warm climates prevail, with altitudes of 800 to 1 400 m and annual rainfall of 600 to 1 200 mm. The scarcity of cultivated areas and the high organoleptic quality of mezcal obtained from A. rhodacantha represent an opportunity for its commercialization in differentiated markets with better prices.

Palabras llave : Crimson Spire agave; edaphoclimatic; georeferencing; mezcal; productive potential; GIS.

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