LAUSR

Abstract The nutrition and growth of Agave angustifolia Haw. were evaluated with respect to three levels of available soil moisture content (ASM): (20, 50, and 80%) and three slow-release fertilizers (SRF): Mutigro (6)® [M6], Multigro (3)® [M3], Turf Builder® [TB] using a completely randomized two-factor design. Plant response variables were plant height (PH), number of leaves (NL), stem diameter (SD), stem solid soluble content (°Bx), leaf area (LA), root thickness, length, density, and volume [(RT), (RL), (RD), (RV)], leaf, stem, and root fresh weight [(LFW), (SFW), (RFW)], leaf, stem, and root dry weight [(LDW), (SDW), (RDW)], and leaf content of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg. Leaf N and P content increased 39.5% and 10.1%, respectively, with 80% ASM. All growth variables except RD were favored by irrigation. Agave plants grew more with 80% ASM. Relative to the control, leaf P and Mg content increased 7.2 and 7.0% with M6. RL, LFW, LDW, SFW, SDW, SD, and LA increased 13.1, 45.1, 62.8, 35.2, 47.8, 16.9, and 41.0%, respectively, with M6. SD increased 15.2% and LA 41.2% with M3. Highest values of PH, SD, RT, RV, LFW, LDW, SFW, SDW, RFW, RDW, and leaf content of N were recorded with M6 + 80% ASM. SRF and irrigation improved nutrition and growth of agave plants.