Aloe Vera: It’s Uses and Cultivation Practices

Introduction

The botanical name of Aloe vera is Aloe barbadensis miller. It belongs to Liliaceae (Asphodedelaceae) family. It is a perennial, xerophytic, succulent, shurbby or arborescent plant with a pea-green, color growing upto 1 meter height. Its green, fleshy leaves are radially organized in two or three circles and feature jagged, thorny edges. Each leaf is 30-40 cm in length and 10 cm in width at its base. A spike of brilliant yellow tubular blooms appears. Aloe vera gel is the most well-known product of the aloe plant. Gel and latex are two fundamental products that may be made from the plant. The leaf pulp is a thin transparent jelly material derived from the leaf’s interior part. It is one of the most economical medicinal crop in worldwide.

Uses

Anti-inflammation because of its soothing, moisturizing and cooling properties
Healing wound
Anti-aging, treats wrinkles
Lightens scars and blemishes
Treat stretch marks
Treats dry skin, cleanses skin
Prevent pimples
Treats acne
Soothes sunburn
Boosts hair growth
Drinking can aid in reducing cholesterol
Help digestion, stomach ulcers and soothe stomach pain
Treat eczema and psoriasis
Relieves anal fissures
Promote oral health
Used as laxative

Cultivation method

Climate and soil: It can be grown in hot humid and high rainfall areas. Well drained soil with high organic matters and bright sun light is essential for its best performance. It grow well in sandy soils and are highly sensitive to water stagnation. For its commercial cultivation, pH upto 8.5 is most suitable.
Land preparation: Aloe’s root system does not penetrate below 20-30 cm, therefore the soil should not be disturbed too deeply. Depending on the soil type and agro-climatic condition, 2-3 ploughing, harrowing followed by levelling is done. Field should be divided into suitable size of 10-15m*3m and the slope of 20-25cm should be made for proper drainage. At the time of final land preparation, 10-15ton/ha well rotten FYM is thoroughly mixed.
Planting time: Rainy season are ideal for suckers plantation.
Seed rate: Depending upon the planting density, about 37000-56000 suckers/ha are required.
Propagation material: Suckers of 3-4 months having 4-5 leaves and about 20-25cm in length are used as planting materials.
Planting method: Suckers are planted at a spacing of 60*60cm in about 15 cm deep in the prepared field.
Nutritional requirement: Organic matters like well rotten FYM, green manure, vermin-compost are used for aloe cultivation. 10-15 tons/ha well rotten FYM is applied at the time of final land preparation. For termite control, 300-400kg neem cake me be applied. NPK at the dose of 35:70:70 kg/ha are added. In sep-oct about 35-40kg N as top dressing may be applied.
Irrigation: 4-6 irigation throughout the year except in monsoon season is sufficient for its commercial cultivation. Depending on the availability of water after each picking of leaves light irrigation should be given. Through light irrigation termites problem can be managed.
Intercultural operation and weeding: Throughout the growing season, field should be kept free from weed. 2-3 hand weeding followed by light hoeing should be practiced to improve the performance of aloe and its suckers. After 1 month of transplanting first weeding should be done. Diseased and unproductive plant, yellowing leaves, and dried flower stalk should be remove continuously from the field.
Harvesting: After 8 months of planting thick fleshy leaves are ready to harvest. The crop can be harvested upto 5 years after planting. Harvesting is normally done in the morning or in the evening. 3 harvesting is done within a year by removing 3-4 leaves from each plant. Early flowering stage is the best stage for maximum economical yield of aloe. Flowers are collected in dec-jan and preserved after proper drying.
Yield: 100-115 quintal raw leaves and 350-400 kg flowers/ha are obtained yearly.

Writer: Dipa Sharma (Student, Bsc Ag., IAAS, Paklihawa Campus)