Morphological variability of Agave landraces for artisanal spirit production in Jalisco, Mexico: regional patterns and conservation perspectives

Jalisco, located in western Mexico, is a key epicenter of agave spirit production driven by global demand. This demand has often led to the agro-industrial intensification of agave cultivation and the implementation of regulations, such as Designations of Origin, which unintentionally threaten plant genetic resource conservation and impact the livelihoods of traditional small-scale producers. The coastal and southern regions of Jalisco have a long tradition of producing artisanal spirits from plants belonging to the Agave angustifolia Haw. – A. rhodacantha Trel. complex. In these two regions, we evaluated 17 morphological traits in 385 agave plants, representing 24 traditional landraces, using multivariate methods. The high variability observed appears to be influenced by multiple factors at different scales, including taxonomic species, regional differences, and landrace distinctions. We delineated this complexity by identifying: 1) Landraces as the primary factor explaining morphological variation; 2) Five landrace groups with distinct morphological traits; 3) Five specific landraces—three in the coastal region and two in the south—as the most clearly delineated entities. Finally, we discuss the emerging patterns associated with each factor and highlight the significance of local agave production systems in generating and conserving agrobiodiversity.