---
title: Micropropagation of Certified Blue Agave for Casa Sauza
description: What is the micropropagation of the agave plant? How does it work? Which are its benefits? All this new agricultural technology has helped Casa Sauza to...
---

[Tequila process ](https://www.casasauza.com/en/tequila-process)

# [Micropropagation of Certified Blue Agave for Casa Sauza](https://www.casasauza.com/en/tequila-process/micropropgation-certified-blue-agave-sauza)

 Written by [Área Agrícola de Casa Sauza](https://www.casasauza.com/en/tequila-process/author/área-agrícola-de-casa-sauza) | Dec 23, 2021 2:32:32 PM

In order to produce the best tequila, it is key to count with **agaves of the highest quality**. This is why Casa Sauza makes sure that its raw material (agave) always arrives in optimal conditions and free of diseases. **The [micropropagation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micropropagation) of the Agave Tequilana Weber blue variety, plays an important role in achieving high quality agave**. Developing these techniques requires the work and research of specialists, which is why we asked our strategic supplier **NSIP** (Nature Source Improved Plants of Mexico) to share some information about this interesting process with us.

## **Micropropagation of the Agave Plant**

Micropropagation of the Blue Agave plant, begins with the **collection of outstanding plants found in Casa Sauza fields.** They are chosen based on their productivity and vigor and must be pests/diseases free (*Some of the diseases include: Fusarium moniliforme, Fusarium oxysporum, Thielaviopsis paradoxa, Cercospora agavicola, Pectobacterium carotovora*).

The plants that get chosen, are taken to Casa Sauza's facilities to get washed and disinfected. Afterwards, they are **transferred -under controlled temperature- to Nature Source Improved Plants (NSIP)** facilities in Tapachula, Chiapas.

Once the plants are in NSIP, they are kept for 3 to 6 months in **greenhouse** with **controlled temperature and humidity**. At the end of this period, they are prepared and disinfected so they can be **taken to the *tissue culture* laboratory**.

At the laboratory, the plants are placed in containers with [culture medium](https://www.thefreedictionary.com/culture+medium), which provides all the nutrients that are necessary for their development. This **laboratory process lasts 12 months and goes through 3 different stages:** Mother Plant, Multiplication and Rooting. On each of the stages, specific cuts are made under sterile conditions and a record of photoperiods and nutrients is kept.

- During the **Mother Plant** stage, a sanitary selection and verification takes place, complying thus with the phytosanitary requirements established by [SAGARPA](http://www.sagarpa.gob.mx/English/Pages/Introduction.aspx).
- During the **Multiplication** stage, the propagation is scaled in several cycles.
- During the **Rooting** stage, the plant is prepared to get planted under conditions that imply a greater challenge.

Afterwards, the plants are taken back to the **greenhouse**, where the process of **adaptation and hardening** takes place by means of a program of fertilization, monitoring and preventive and/or corrective applications. In addition, a quarterly evaluation of the diameter, vigor and root ball -for quality assurance- is carried out.

The process of **adaptation and hardening** lasts 18 months. Once it is completed, those plants that **meet the quality standard specifications **are chosen and packaged. The plants are transported under controlled conditions until they **arrive to Casa Sauza, where it is verified that they in fact comply with the established parameters**. Afterwards, the **sowing** of the material begins.

This whole process offers **benefits** such as **safe**, **controlled** and **programmed** **supply** of planting material, which complies with the **qualitative specifications** required (homogeneity, productivity, health and vigor).

In addition to quality, **the right selection of growing conditions** and a proper **agronomic management** translates into:

- Less than a 2% of plant decrease after sowing
- Harvest in five years and with an average content of reducing sugars between 20 to 24%.
- Significant reduction of the total cost per kilogram of raw material

 

## **ALFA Supplier**

The *In Vitro* Division of *Agromod* (affiliated company of **Plenus Group**) and *Nature Source Genetics* **LLC** have joined to create **Nature Source Improved Plants LLC (NSIP)**, a one-of-a-kind company with experience on *in vitro *propagation of plants. They also have the most advanced technology in genetic improvement. This new company is located in Ithaca, New York, and in Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico.

**NSIP Mexico** is the only company in the world to have achieved the massive propagation of more than **22 million *in vitro *plants of Blue Agave**, guaranteeing thus, the supply of **"Elite" material for the tequila industry.**

The ***in vitro* Blue Agave plant **is integrated in an INNOVATIVE PRODUCTION SYSTEM that allows to significantly **increase the productivity of the crop**, **transferring to the field a technological package with "Elite" seeds **and the **best agricultural practices** in proper soils and climates.

 

We thank NSIP, Mexico, for their contribution with this **Micropropagation of Blue Agave** article.

Learn more about our agricultural processes here:

[Automation Process of Agricultural Work](https://www.casasauza.com/tequila-process/automation-process-of-agricultural-work?hsLang=en)

[Why Implementing a TPM Program in Agriculture?](https://www.casasauza.com/tequila-process/why-implementing-a-tpm-program-in-agriculture?hsLang=en)

[Innovation at the Agave Fields Using Smart Agriculture](https://www.casasauza.com/tequila-process/-field-innovation-with-smart-agriculture?hsLang=en)

Or you can always **come to Casa Sauza** and take a look at our fields yourself. You won't be disappointed!

 

 

 

 

[View full post](https://www.casasauza.com/en/tequila-process/micropropgation-certified-blue-agave-sauza)

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