UTILIZING COMPOSTED AGAVE BAGASSE AS A GROWTH MEDIUM FOR STRAWBERRIES AND TOMATOES
Abstract
In Mexico, the rapid growth of tequila production has led to a substantial increase in agave utilization, resulting in a surge of agave bagasse, a lignocellulosic by-product. This study explores the potential agricultural applications of agave bagasse, which now accounts for a significant portion of agave processing residues. Over the last 6 years, the production of agave bagasse has risen significantly, aligning with the booming tequila industry and related agave-based products. Agave bagasse can be effectively integrated into plant growth substrates, offering numerous advantages over traditional soil cultivation. Common substrates in Mexico, such as coco coir, perlite, and vermiculite, facilitate higher strawberry yields, improved quality, and greater plant density. Substrate-based systems also promote environmental sustainability by reducing chemical usage and enabling the collection and disinfection of runoff water for reuse. Moreover, substrate cultivation allows growers to maintain consistent planting locations and respond swiftly to weather fluctuations. While substrate cultivation offers substantial benefits, it requires initial investments and a learning curve for growers to adapt to the technique and optimize fertilizer schedules. This study highlights the potential of utilizing agave bagasse in plant growth substrates as a sustainable and productive approach in the context of increasing agave production.
Keywords:
Agave bagasse, Plant growth substrates, Tequila production, Strawberry cultivation, Agricultural sustainabilityDownloads
Published
Issue
Section
How to Cite
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Dr. Javier Antonio López Pérez, Engineer María Gabriela Torres González , Dr. Carlos Alberto Ramírez López
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Boot, E. (2017). Top principles for growing strawberries in substrate. [On line] Available: https://vegetablegrowersnews.com/news/top-principles-growing-strawberries-substrate/ (March 7, 2020).
Cedeño, C.M. (1995). Tequila production. Crit. Rev. Biotechnol. 15, 1-11.
Chen, Y. & Barak, P. (1982). Iron nutrition of plants in calcareous soils. Adv. Agron. 35:217-240.
Cornell Cals (2020). College of agriculture and life science. Horticulture section. School of integrative plant science. [On line] Available: hort.cornell.edu/gardening/soil/strawberries.pdf. June 26, 2020.
CRT (2020). Consejo Regulador del Tequila. http://www. crt.org.mx. 15/05/2009.
Geekgardener, (2015). https://geekgardener.in/2015/03/25/growing-hydroponic-strawberries-in-nft-system/ (June 27, 2020).
Liu, G., Hanlon, E. &Li, Y. (2012). Understanding and applying chelated fertilizers effectively based on soil pH. IFAS extension. University of Florida.
Olle, M.Nagouajio, M. &Simos, A. (2012). Vegetable quality and productivity as influenced by growing médium: A Review. Zemdirbyste Agriculture 99(4): 399-408.
Rippy, F.M.J., Peet, M.M., Louws, F.J., Nelson, P.V., Orr, D.B.& Sorensen, K.A. (2004). Plant development and harvest yield of greenhouse tomatoes in six organic growing systems. HortScience 39(2): 223-229.
Ulrich, A., Mostafa, M.A. E. & Allen, W.W. (1977). Strawberry deficiency symptoms: A visual and plant analysis guide to fertilization. Agric. Expt. Sta., Univ. California. Bull. 1917, pp. 30- 31.
Oliveros, M.A. (2020). Estudios de nutrición por deficiencia de hierro en fresas desarrolladas en bolsas de polietileno (“bolis”) con sustrato de bagazo de agave. Tesis. Maestra en Ciencias en Biosistemática yManejo de Recursos Naturales y Agrícolas. CUCBA. Universidad de Guadalajara (in press).
Ruvalcaba, B.J.M. (2017). Uso de bagazo de agave como sustrato en el cultivo hidropónico de fresa (Fragaria x ananassa). Tesis. Maestra en Ciencias en Biosistemática yManejo de Recursos Naturales y Agrícolas. CUCBA. Universidad de Guadalajara.
