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Article: Seed production and gametophyte formation in Agave tequilana and Agave americana.(Author abstract)
- Article from:
- Canadian Journal of Botany
- Article date:
- November 1, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2008 NRC Research Press. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Introduction
The Agavaceae family with 9 genera and 330 species is endemic to America (Garcia-Mendoza 2004). Mexico is the center of origin for 76% of all Agave species, several of which have been exploited for the production of fibers or alcoholic beverages such as tequila and mezcal (Piven et al. 2001).
The preparation of alcoholic beverages is by far the most important economic activity associated with agave cultivation. Although mezcal can be prepared form a wide variety of species of agave, under the "Denomination of Origin" (Diario oficial 1993), at least 51% of the sugars used to produce tequila must come from Agave tequilana Weber var. azul. ...