Biología y aprovechamiento de Agave lechuguilla Torrey

The lechuguilla (Agave lechuguilla) is a native plant of arid and semiarid regions from Mexico and south of United States; it has been used for its fiber since approximately 8 000 years ago; today, it is fundamental for economy of aproximately 20 000 peasants and their families. A. lechuguilla is a monocarpic plant, with high capacity of intra and inter-specific competence, high resistance to pests, herbivory and environmental strong conditions, its productivity is high (0.38 kg /m2/year), it has broad geographic distribution (aproximatly 100 000 km2) and high capacity of vegetative and sexual reproduction. The continuous exploitation of lechuguilla and its improvement require a scientific management of wild populations, instead the use of typical agronomical practices.