AFLP analysis of Agave tequilana varieties

Several varieties of Agave tequilana Weber have been described, but only A. tequilana Weber var. azul is accepted for the production of tequila. Discrimination between the different varieties is difficult and the relationships between them at the genotype level are unclear. In addition genetic diversity within and between populations of A. tequilana Weber var. azul has been shown to be low. AFLP analysis of nine A. tequilana varieties indicated that certain varieties were genotypically close to A. tequilana Weber var. azul. A significant level of diversity was also observed among A. tequilana Weber var. azul samples obtained from the same plantation and from different plantations in Guanajuato State, Mexico. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.