Aloe vera

• Also known as Burn-Plant.

a. Environment

• grow in hot humid and high rainfall
• Well drained soil with high organic matter, is most suitable.
• It grows well in bright sun light. Shady conditions results in disease infestation.
• Highly sensitive to water stagnation.
• Grow in sandy soils.

b. Land Preparation

• About 2-3 ploughing
• Make the soil weed free and friable.
• Land leveling is then followed.
• Along the slope, 15-20 ft. apart drainage are made.

c. Application of Plant Nutrients

• Before land preparation, about 8-10 tonnes FYM/ ha is applied.
• Before the last ploughing, 35 kg N, 70 kg P2 O5, and 70 kg K2O/ha are added.
• For controlling termites problem, 350-400 kg Neem Cake / ha may be applied.
• In September – October about 35-40 kg N as top dressing may be applied. If the soil is rich in organic matter, N dose can be reduced.

d. Irrigation and Interculture

• After 40 days or so weeding and earthing up are done.
• Earthing up is also practiced after top dressing of fertilizer.
• Aloe vera is slightly tolerant to drought, but very sensitive to water stagnation.
• Therefore, proper drainage is more important than irrigation.
• As per need light irrigation during drought is enough.

e. Harvest

• Harvesting of leaves starts after 7-8 months of planting.
• Typically, the outermost 3–4 leaves are harvested by pulling each leaf away from the plant stalk and cutting at the base.
• If harvesting is done once in a year, October – November are the best period for harvesting.
• Second year gives maximum yield and for about 4-5 years good yield could be harvested.
• After harvesting leaves are dried in shade and then in sun before storages.

f. Chemical evaluation:

• The principal constituent is ‘Aloin’.
• Other chemical constituents are Aloesin, Aloesone, Barbaloin, Aloe-emodin, Aloetic acid, Homonataloin, choline.
• Vitamins includes A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E.

g. Uses of Aloe vera

• As a tropical treatment for burns, wounds.
• Orally as a laxative.
• Hot water extracts from the leaves is taken orally to both alleviate painful mensuration and reduce abortion.
• Taken orally to treat inflammation and pain.
• Prevents high blood pressure, cancer and diabetes.
• Anti-obesity preparation, as a moisturizers and as cathartic blood purifier.
• Used in arthritis, muscle stiffness, chloasma, perspiration, ulcers, and hyperacidity
• As anti-oxidant and cancer preventing activity.