PGPB Consortium Formulation to Increase Fermentable Sugar in <i>Agave tequilana</i> Weber var. Blue: A Study in the Field
Beatriz G. Guardado-Fierros,
Diego A. Tuesta-Popolizio,
Miguel A. Lorenzo-Santiago,
Ramón Rubio-Cortés,
Rosa M. Camacho-Ruíz,
José J. Castañeda-Nava,
Antonia Gutiérrez-Mora,
Silvia M. Contreras-Ramos
Affiliations
Beatriz G. Guardado-Fierros
Unidad de Tecnología Ambiental, Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco A.C. (CIATEJ), Normalistas No. 800, Colinas de la Normal, Guadalajara 44270, Jalisco, Mexico
Diego A. Tuesta-Popolizio
Unidad de Tecnología Ambiental, Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco A.C. (CIATEJ), Normalistas No. 800, Colinas de la Normal, Guadalajara 44270, Jalisco, Mexico
Miguel A. Lorenzo-Santiago
Unidad de Tecnología Ambiental, Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco A.C. (CIATEJ), Normalistas No. 800, Colinas de la Normal, Guadalajara 44270, Jalisco, Mexico
Ramón Rubio-Cortés
Promoción y Fomento de Agave S. de R.L. de C.V., Ignacio Zaragosa #55 C.P., Ixtlahuacán del Río 45260, Jalisco, Mexico
Unidad de Tecnología Ambiental, Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco A.C. (CIATEJ), Normalistas No. 800, Colinas de la Normal, Guadalajara 44270, Jalisco, Mexico
Agave tequilana Weber var. Blue is used as the primary raw material in tequila production due to its fructans (inulin) content. This study evaluates the formulation of a plant-growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) consortium (Pseudomonas sp. and Shimwellia sp.) to increase sugars in A. tequilana under field conditions. A total of three doses were tested: low (5 L ha−1), medium (10 L ha−1), and high (15 L ha−1), with a cellular density of 1 × 108 CFU mL−1 and one control treatment (without application). Total reducing sugars (TRS), inulin, sucrose, glucose, fructose, and plant growth were measured in agave plants aged 4–5 years at 0 (T0), 3 (T3), 6 (T6), and 12 (T12) months. Yield was recorded at T12. The TRS increased by 3%, and inulin by 5.3% in the high-dose treatment compared to the control at T12. Additionally, a low content of sucrose, glucose, and fructose (approximately 1%) was detected. At T12, the weight of agave heads increased by 31.2% in the medium dose and 22.3% in the high dose compared to the control. The high dose provided a higher inulin content. The A. tequilana plants were five years old and exhibited growth comparable to the standards for 6–7-year-old plants. This study demonstrates a sustainable strategy for tequila production, optimizing the use of natural resources and enhancing industry performance through increased sugar content and yield.
