Mexico: Scientists Study Importance of Genetic Diversity in Agave

Posted on July 20, 2011 • Filed under: Agriculture, Business, Mexico

The agave plant (from which tequila is made) has over 170 known varieties which have a number of natural benefits and uses. However, as El Universal reports, the tequila industry uses clones of just one type of agave in order to rush its maturation. The use of cloned plants opens it up to many risks, including adapted diseases which could wipe out the entire crop of plants. Due to the symbiotic relationship between bats and agave, the demise of the agave would not only impact Mexico’s tequila industry, but also threaten the bats’ survival. Read Article

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