Bt agave: why it is time to explore a new biotechnological frontier

Drylands cover 41% of Earth's surface and are expanding due to climate change, requiring innovative agricultural strategies for resource efficiency. Agave, a non-conventional drought-tolerant monocot cultivated in Mexico and Brazil, is a sustainable crop with high biomass productivity and low water requirements, supporting industries like biofuels, textiles, and beverages. With high biomass productivity and extremely low water requirements, Agave species are increasingly recognized as one of the most sustainable crops for semi-arid and marginal regions. Despite its environmental resilience, agave cultivation is significantly constrained by insect pests that reduce yield and economic returns. While Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry proteins have revolutionized pest management in other crops, their application in Agave spp. remains unexplored due to technical barriers in genetic transformation. Here, we argue that the integration of Bt technology into Agave species is both technically feasible and strategically necessary. We discuss recent advances in plant transformation and regeneration that lower historical barriers in monocots and outline how Cry-based resistance could be incorporated into Agave spp. within integrated pest management frameworks. By synthesizing current knowledge and identifying key research priorities, we suggest that Bt-engineered Agave spp. could represent a realistic and timely strategy to enhance pest control, sustainability, and resilience in dryland agricultural systems. © 2026 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.