Blue agave: a driver of deforestation, transformation of cropping patterns and soil erosion

Authors

  • Rubén Darío Guevara-Gutiérrez University of Guadalajara image/svg+xml , Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales-Centro Universitario de la Costa Sur Author
  • Valente Macias-López University of Guadalajara image/svg+xml , Ingeniería en Recursos Naturales y Agropecuarios-Centro Universitario de la Costa Sur Author
  • José Luis Olguín-López University of Guadalajara image/svg+xml , Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales-Centro Universitario de la Costa Sur Author
  • Oscar Arturo Barreto-García University of Guadalajara image/svg+xml , Departamento de Producción Agrícola-Centro Universitario de la Costa Sur Author
  • José Manuel Ramírez-Romero University of Guadalajara image/svg+xml , Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales-Centro Universitario de la Costa Sur Author
  • Oscar Raúl Mancilla-Villa National Technological Institute of Mexico image/svg+xml , Unidad Académica El Grullo Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29312/remexca.v17i5.4205

Keywords:

Agave tequilana Weber., soil erosion, tequila regulatory council

Abstract

This study aimed to quantify and analyze the effects of the growth in the area cultivated with blue agave on deforestation, changes in cropping patterns, and soil erosion in Autlán de Navarro, Jalisco. Over the past 20 years, this crop has expanded intensively, driven by demand from the tequila industry and rising prices for a kilogram of agave hearts (from $21.00 to $30.00 pesos between 2021 and 2024). Through a census of plots, blue agave plantations belonging to tequila-producing companies and farmers were compared, recording changes in cropping patterns and deforestation, mainly of low deciduous tropical forest, as well as the presence of weeds, diseases and signs of soil erosion (visual evaluation). Results showed a deforestation rate of 39.7%; the conversion of cropping patterns represented 82%; 73% of plots received herbicides; 60% showed diseases treated with insecticides such as imidacloprid; and 90% showed moderate to severe erosion. Significant differences (p= 0.05) were observed in management between companies and farmers. It is concluded that the expansion of blue agave has led to changes in cropping patterns (from vegetables, corn and pastures to blue agave) and to deforestation, which responds to market volatility and a lack of contracts for the sale of the plantation.

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Published

2026-08-25

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 5 (2026)

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Articles

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How to Cite

Guevara-Gutiérrez, Rubén Darío, Valente Macias-López, José Luis Olguín-López, Oscar Arturo Barreto-García, José Manuel Ramírez-Romero, and Oscar Raúl Mancilla-Villa. 2026. “Blue Agave: A Driver of Deforestation, Transformation of Cropping Patterns and Soil Erosion”. Revista Mexicana De Ciencias Agrícolas 17 (5): e4205. https://doi.org/10.29312/remexca.v17i5.4205.

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