Aloevera

ORIGIN

Aloevera is a plant of great potential and value in the field of therapeutics, pharmaceuticals and cosmetic industries. The colour and odour of each variety has its characteristic and the taste bitter. Aloevera Barbadensis refers to the Barbados Island. Aloevera is used in indigenous (Ayurvedic) and Unani systems of medicine and in cosmetics, shampoos and creams.

The major market of Aloevera and its extracts are India, Australia, USA, Japan and Europe. The demand for Aloevera is increasing and with scientific studies the medicinal benefits of Aloevera are emerging consistently. It is profitable to cultivate the Aloevera, since it has the potential to become the future of agro-industrial crop.

Aloevera plant looks like cactus, but is actually a member of the lily family. It grows in warm places like Asia, Africa and some parts of America and Europe that are warm. Aloe Vera plants are prized for the gel substance inside their leaves which is used for many types of medicinal purposes. Aloe Vera plants are very easy to care for.

It doesn’t need a lot of sunlight, so it is best to keep them in a window that gets lots of sun, unless you are in an especially cold climate. They do need to be kept warm and get plenty of light, because they can die from exposure to cold.

Commonly known as:

• Miracle Plant
• Wonder Plant
• Medicinal Aloe
• Ornamental Plant
• Aloe Vulgaris

Aloe Vera has 300 species, in which 155 has less medicinal value, 14 have no properties, only Aloe Vera Barbadensis Miller has highest Medicinal Properties.

Source- survey by Seamap, Lucknow

Aloe vera plants such as Aloe vera barbadensis are known for their medicinal use, various kinds of ailments and ointments are available for burns, rashes and cuts. They are used in various beauty preparations to give your skin a beautiful look. Aloe Vera plants are now found in various countries and have been commonly accepted as folk medicines. This plant can also be grown as an indoor plant but may need re-potting as it grows very large. Aloe Vera Plant is also known as medicinal aloe, medicine plant or burn plant. The name comes from the Arabic “Alloeh”, meaning bitter because of the bitter yellow liquid that is found between the gel and the leaf skin.

COMPOSITION OF ALOEVERA

Vitamins: A, B1, B2 B3, B6, B12

• Contributes to well – being & health
• Supplies body with energy
• Strengthens the immune system

Minerals: Calcium, Iron, Potassium

• Indispensable for the human metabolism
• Building of blood, needed for growth of bones and teeth

Amino Acids: Lysine, Threonin, Valine etc

• Repair tissues / carry oxygen throughout the body
• They form antibodies to fight bacteria & viruses
• Essential for the growth of the body

Enzymes: Oxidase, Catalase etc

• Regulate intestinal activity.
• Assists in the breaking up of food elements

CULTIVATION PRACTICE

Climate-

Aloe is grown in warm tropical areas and cannot survive at freezing temperatures. It can be seen growing good in warm and humid climate. The plant flourishes well on dry sandy soils at localities with lower annual rainfall of 50 to 300 mm. It needs protection against Frost.

Soil-

It is grown successfully in marginal to sub marginal soils having low fertility. The plants have tendency to tolerate high soil PH with high sodium & potassium salts. However, its growth is faster under medium fertile heavier soils such as black cotton soils of Central India. Aloevera can be cultivated on any soil for ‘dry land management’; sandy loamy soil is best suited for it.

Planting Time-

Suckers should be planted in July- August to get better field survival and subsequent growth. However, under irrigated conditions, planting can be done round the year except in Winter months (November- February)

Land Preparation-

The root system of Aloevera doesn’t penetrate below 20-30 cm, therefore the soil shouldn’t be disturbed too deep. Depending upon soil type and agro-climatic conditions, 1-2 ploughing followed by levelling are recommended. The field should be divided into suitable plot sizes (10-15mx3m) considering the slope & available source of irrigation.

Spacing & Plant Population-

Normally a spacing of 2’X2’ is followed. This accommodates about 9000 plants per acre.

Planting Material-

The planting material recommended for commercial cultivation are suckers. Nearly 3-4 months old suckers, having 4-5 leaves and about 20-25 cm in length be used as planting material.

Manures & Fertilizers-

In general, the crop responds well to the application of organic manure (Vermi-compost, neem cake, Trichoderma, gypsum). About 4-5 tonnes of organic manure per acre area may be applied at the time of soil preparation and also in the subsequent years. If sufficient quantity of wood ash is available it can be applied in the pits at the time of planting as it helps in establishment of plants & their subsequent growth.

Irrigation-

To get good crops, irrigation at different critical stages of growth are required as follows:

• First Irrigation just after planting of suckers.
• Give 2-3 irrigations subsequently till the plants get established, 4-6 irrigations per year may be enough for its proper growth.

Inter Culture Operations-

• The field should be kept free from weeds throughout the growing period.
• 2-3 hand weeding per year to promote growth and suckering
• Remove regularly diseased plants and dried flower stakes.

Cultivation Process

The ground is to be carefully prepared to keep free from weeds and the soil should be kept ideally slightly acidic. The plants are set spaced out by 24 inches in rows. At that rate, about 9000 plants are set per acre. 8-12 inches aloe pulp would take about 12 months to get fully mature The leaves are cut off close to the plant are placed immediately with the cut end downwards, in a plastic caret of 2’ x 1’.

Yield

From II year yield may be as 20 tonnes of thick fleshy leaves from one acre plantation. Suckers from about 55-60% of the plants could be sold out annually. After II year 1 ton of flowers could be sold out annually from 1 acre plantation.