Authors: Rameti Jangir1*, Sunil Kumar2
1Ph.D. Scholar NAU, Gujarat
2PhD Research Scholars, ICAR-NDRI, Karnal
*Corresponding Author: rametijangir01@gmail.com
Aloe Vera is a very hardy perennial tropical plant that can be cultivated in drought area as well. The plant become very popular due to their medicinal valve. The plant also called miracle plant or nature tonic. This plant is native to Africa and Mediterranean region. It belong to family of liliaceae. This plant is being used extensively in cosmetic industry and consumer product segments.
Health benefit of aloe Vera plant
Aloe Vera is an anti-biotic, anti-microbial, antibacterial, disinfectant, Antiseptic, germicidal and antiviral.
- It is excellent of skin treatment
- It is extensively used for urine related problem and ulcer and pimples
- It is a good sources of vitamin and minerals
- It is high sources of amino acid and fatty acid
- It is help with digestion
- It is help in detoxification process
- It is help in boosting immune system
It is a warm tropical crop. It can grow in various climate condition. This can be grown in low rainfall region and dry area with warm humid condition. This plant is very sensitive for extreme cold condition. This plant is thrive best on dry sandy soil where low rainfall is expected. This plant cannot tolerant frost and cool climate condition.
Soil condition
Aloe Vera can be cultivated on wide variety of soil from sandy to loamy soil. However it thrive best on light soils. This plant is very sensitive to water stagnation, make sure to select the well drainage soil. This plant can be tolerant up to 8.5 pH soil condition. Aloe Vera growth should be faster in black cotton soil with good drainage.
Land preparation
Land should be ploughed and cross ploughed thoroughly to bring the soil to fine tilth stage. To increase the fertility of soil about 15-20 tonne well rotten FYM during the last plough. From ridges and furrows @ 40 cm apart. The suckers should be planted @ 40 cm distances.
Improved variety of aloe Vera
Aloe barbedensis, perfoliata,A. chinensis, A, indica, A, abyssinica,A., vulgaris, AL-1, IC111269, IC111271 and IC111280
Plant density and spacing
The recommended plant population is 50000-55000 thousand per hectare, spacing between plants should be 40x45 cm and 60x30 cm maintained.
Propagation and planting method
In aloe Vera farming propagation is done through root suckers and rhizome cutting. In case of root suckers select medium size root suckers and should carefully dig without damaging mother plant at the base. This can be directly planted in the land. In case of rhizome cutting propagation, after harvesting the crop dig out the underground rhizome and make about 6 cm length cutting with two to three nodes on them. Placed these on prepared sand bed. Once sprouts are popping up transplanting these into main field. Usually about 15000 suckers are required for 1 acre nursery.
Irrigation
Mainly crop grown in rainfed condition but it can be grown in both rainfed and irrigated condition. 1st irrigation should be carryout immediately after planting suckers. After that two irrigation in hot season is good for batter yield. In rainy season avoid water logging in field.
Weed control and inter cultural operation
Mostly no need to more weed control in this crop. As inter cultural in aloe Vera farming earthling should be done and weeding also done in regularly interval.
Manures and fertilizers
As part of land preparation, applied 15-20 tonnes FYM/ha it repeat same for every year. A basal dose of NPK 50:50:50 kg per hectare should be applied for batter yield. It given in 2-3 part with irrigation.
Pest and disease management
Aloe rust, basal stem root and bacterial soft root are the common disease found in aloe farming. For control measure used and sulphur compound bactericide and fungicide.
Harvesting management
Aloe Vera crop will be ready for harvesting next year after planting. Fresh leave of 3 or 4 from each plant can be picked. Picking up of leave should be done in morning or evening time. Almost three time harvesting can be done in a year. After harvesting laves, again they re-generate up to 5 year planting. Not only leaves side suckers can be harvested for using planting material.
Post harvesting management
After harvesting the fresh leaves, care should be taken for drying the leaves. Usually harvest crop is allowed to lose the moisture in the field itself before transport.
Yield of aloe Vera
An average of 40 to 50 tonnes of thick leaves can be obtained per 1 hectare land cultivation. Aloe Vera given production up to 5 year after planting. After 5 year it need to re-plant for batter yield and profit.
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