EXPRESIÓN EMBRIOGÉNICA DIRECTA EN Agave cupreata

Background: Agave cupreata is a specie that can only reproduce by seeds and could take up to 15 years until flowering, placing it at risk of extinction due to its agroindustrial exploitation to produce mezcal. Objective: To evaluate the type of explant, the vitamin complex and 2,4-D concentrations on the direct embryogenic response. Methodology: Explants of leaf, root and stem sections were evaluated. Also, the vitamins MS (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) and L2 (Phillips and Collins, 1979), five concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), (0.0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 mg L-1) and six concentrations of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), (0.0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 mg L-1) were assayed for the expression of somatic embryos directly. Results: The leaf explant, the vitamin L2 complex, and the concentration of 0.9 mg L-1 of 2,4-D and 0.5 mg L-1 of IAA turned out to be the most efficient for the formation of pro-embryogenic masses and the expression of direct somatic embryos in the globular state. Implications: These results lay the groundwork for the future regeneration of A. cupreata plants via direct somatic embryogenesis, potentially facilitating their conservation and mass propagation. This contributes to the sustainability of mezcal; boosts the local economy, preserves biodiversity, and ensures the continued production of this endangered species. Conclusions: For the first time, the successful expression of somatic embryos directly from A. cupreata explants was evidenced.