Association between soil and plant elemental composition and morphology of dasylirion cedrosanum trel.

Background: Sotol production has grown in recent years. There is interest in establishing monocultures to mitigate the overexploitation of wild populations. However, for an efficient establishment and management of plantations it is important to know the elemental composition of Dasylirion cedrosanum. Hypotheses: The mineral composition of sotol reflects the mineral composition of the soil solution where it grows. Studied species: Dasylirion cedrosanum Trel. Study site and dates: Plants and soils were sampled during September and October 2020 in San Lorenzo, Buenavista and General Cepeda, Coahuila. Methods: Stems, leaves and soils were collected and their elements were analyzed. In addition, morphological characters were measured for each specimen. Data were analyzed with multivariate statistical techniques. Results: Ca and N were highly concentrated in the soil and in the plants. In all three localities, Se levels were high in the plants. However, Se in the soil solution was not detectable. Individuals from San Lorenzo and General Cepeda showed high levels of Cu and Ba, although Cu was not detectable in the soil. Growth showed negative association with As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Mo, Ni and Pb and Mg was related to higher sotol growth. Conclusions: Dasylirion cedrosanum has mechanisms for the acquiring and concentrating from elements in the soil solution, even when these are in low concentrations.