Available via license: CC BY 4.0
Content may be subject to copyright.
Cite this article
Chowdhury T., Rahman M.A., Nahar K., Chowdhury M.A.H. and Khan M.S.I. 2018. Growth and yield performance of Aloe vera grown in different soil
types of Bangladesh. Journal of Bangladesh Agricultural University, 16(3): 448–456.
J Bangladesh Agril Univ 16(3): 448–456, 2018 https://doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v16i3.39416
Growth and yield performance of Aloe vera grown in different soil types of
Bangladesh
Tanzin Chowdhury1, Md Arifur Rahman2, Kamrun Nahar2, Md. Akhter Hossain Chowdhury2 and
Md. Sirajul Islam Khan1
1Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh.
2Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh
Abstract
Plant requires suitable soil for higher yield, quality growth and desired crop productivity that differ with
soil characteristics, availability of the nutrient elements and overall soil fertility. Aloe vera, a documented
medicative plant, is used for numerous medical and cosmetic applications since very beginning of the
civilization. An experiment was conducted in Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA),
Mymensingh to find out the most appropriate soil for A. vera cultivation. Seven types of soils viz., acid,
calcareous, non-calcareous, charland, saline, peat and acid sulphate were collected from different locations
of Bangladesh. Eighteenth month old Aloe vera seedlings were collected from Shomvogonj, Mymensingh
and planted during last week of May, 2017 following completely randomized design (CRD) with three
replications. Most of the soils were light grey in colour, acidic to neutral in nature and clay to clay loam in
texture except non-calcareous and charland soils. Bulk density, particle density and field capacity ranged from
1.23−1.45 g cm−3, 2.20−2.58 g cm−3 and 27.07−30.20%, respectively. The ranges of pH, EC and organic matter
contents were 3.8 to 7.8, 0.25 to 14.04 dS m−1 and 0.88 to 16.40%, respectively. The organic matter content was
found as low to moderate except peat soil. Total N, exchangeable K, available P and S contents ranged from
0.05−0.95%, 0.17−0.73 cmol kg−1, 3.09−12.10 and 11.06−735.12 µg g−1 soil, respectively. Growth and leaf
biomass yield of A. vera was significantly influenced by different soil types. The highest plant height, leaf
number, leaf area and leaf fresh weight were recorded from the plant grown in non-calcareous soil
whereas maximum fresh gel weight, dry leaf weight and yield increase over acid sulphate soil were found
from the plant grown in calcareous soil. The highest fresh leaf gel weight (907 g plant−1) was obtained
from the plant grown in calcareous soil which was identical with the gel weight (880 g plant−1) of the plant
grown in acid soil. The yield increase of acid, non-calcareous, charland, saline1 (6.32 dS m−1) and saline2
(8.14 dS m−1) soils over acid sulphate soil were 718, 712, 394, 144 and 86%, respectively. The overall
performance of the soils in relation to leaf biomass yield was of the following order: calcareous ≥ acid ≥
non-calcareous > charland > saline1 (6.32 dS m−1) > saline2 (8.14 dS m−1) > peat > acid sulphate soil. The
results suggest that farmers could be advised to grow A. vera either in calcareous or acid soils of Bangladesh. Since
calcareous and non-calcareous soils are mostly used for growing cereals, pulses, cash crop like sugarcane,
fruits etc., acid soil could be used for cultivating this important medicinal crop considering the socio-
economic conditions of the country.
Copyright:
©2018 by authors and BAURES. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC By 4.0).
Introduction
Aloe vera, a multifunctional and miracle plant, used as
medicinal and ornamental purposes, healthy food
ingredient as well as the materials for cosmetic
industries. It belongs to the family Alliaceae and genus
Aloe containing about 420 species (Dange et al., 2000).
This perennial succulent plant has the ability to develop
water storage tissue in the leaves to survive in dry
conditions with low or erratic rainfall (Kumar and
Yadav, 2014). The leaves of this plant contain fat
compounds, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and 18
essential amino acids, vitamins (e.g., A, C, E, vitamin
B12, folic acid), minerals, glycoprotein, C-
glucosylchromone, anthraquinones, emodin, salicylic
acid and various kinds of enzymes (Hamman, 2008;
Surjushe et al., 2008). It also contains secondary
metabolites like alkaloids, aloins, lectins, lignin,
saponins, tannins, phenolic and glukomannan (Boudreau
and Beland, 2006; Darini et al., 2013). The cultivation of
A. vera has gained commercial importance for medicinal
products and cosmetics processing. Its cultivation is
expanding rapidly as it provides quick and regular
income to the farmers (Moorthy and Malliga, 2012).
Aloe gel possesses important biological properties such
as antimicrobial (Bashir et al., 2011), anticancer
(Naveena et al., 2011), antioxidant (Miladi and Damak,
2008), antidiabetic (Jones, 2007), antiulcer (Borra et al.,
2011), hepatoprotective (Chandan et al., 2007),
immunomodulatory (Atul et al., 2011) and many more
medicinal activities. The gel of Aloe leaves is also
associated with many health benefits as it contains
polysaccharides (Josias, 2008). Yusuf et al. (2004)
reported that the plant has the potential of secreting
gastric acid on the gastric mucosal injury. Okonkwo et
ARTICLE INFO
Article history:
Received: 29 October 2018
Accepted: 06 December 2018
Published: 31 December 2018
Keywords:
Aloe vera; Soil types; Leaf biomass
yield and Leaf gel weight
Correspondence:
Md. Sirajul Islam Khan
: sirajulsau@gmail.com
ISSN 1810-3030 (Print) 2408-8684 (Online)
Journal of Bangladesh Agricultural University
Journal home page: http://baures.bau.edu.bd/jbau, www.banglajol.info/index.php/JBAU
Yield performance of Aloe vera in different soils
449
al. (2009) reported that the gel has also the potential of
controlling body rashes, mouth odour, running nose,
itching, soar throat and such veneral diseases as
gonorrhoea, staphylococcus and vaginal discharge when
combined with some African medicinal leaves.
Different biotic and abiotic factors may affect crop
production (Orcutt and Nilsen, 2000). Soil provides most
of our necessities through the plant and animal
communities which develop on it (Garg and Kumar,
2012). Soil ensures physical support for plant growth
and development by supplying necessary water and
nutrient elements. Soil types, soil nutrient status, and
fertilizer management usually influence the growth,
yield and quality of a plant species, and their suitability
is the prerequisite for higher yield and better quality
crops (Hossain and Ishimine, 2005; Akamine et al.,
2007; Chowdhury et al., 2008; Hossain et al., 2011;
Islam et al., 2011). Soil type is an important abiotic
factor that might affect plant growth through controlling
the nutrient supply, altering the function of plant roots
and soil-borne microbes like root endophytic fungi,
mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobia (Chiarini et al., 1998;
Egamberdiyeva, 2007; Latour, 1996; Pineda, 2010).
Crop productivity varies with the contents and different
combinations of nutrient elements, pH, EC and organic
matter present in soil (Broadley et al., 2012; Hawkesford
et al., 2012). Different soils might have various effects
on the function of plant growth-promoting
microorganisms (PGPMs), which could promote plant
growth (Sripontan et al., 2014). For functioning through
the soils, nutrients might be the most important factor to
affect the growth of plants and their biochemical
constituents (Altieri and Nicholls, 2003; Mevi-Schütz et
al., 2003). The soil nutritional elements required for the
growth are not only the important sources of materials
for building up the structures of plant tissues, but also
are actively involved in the metabolic activities within
plants (Al-Humaid, 2005). Soil organic carbon is also a
crucial parameter for soil fertility as it enhances soil
physical, chemical and biological properties (Lützow et
al., 2006; Birkhofer et al., 2008). To develop
management practices for higher yield and good quality
of plant product, investigation on different growth
parameters of the plant is critical by using different types
of local soils (Hossain and Ishimine, 2005). The quality
of medicinal herb like A. vera is the comprehensive
indicator reflecting certain cultivation technologies and
ecological conditions in different Bangladeshi soils. It is
a semi subtropical plant that can be grown easily like
other vegetable crops (McKeown, 1987). Aloe vera
grows well in all kinds of soils but well drained soil rich
in organic matter is preferable (Kumar and Yadav, 2014)
because of their their sensitivity to water stagnant
conditions (Manvitha and Bidya, 2014). As an agro-
based country, Bangladesh could easily introduce A. vera
as a commercial crop like others and can be cultivated in
its relatively high land and homestead area as it grows
well in open space with proper drainage. Being a new
crop, A. vera is needed to be domesticated in
Bangladesh, a package regarding the soil and cultivation
aspects, to standardize under different agro climatic
conditions to boost up its cultivation. To the best of our
knowledge, till now no detailed study has yet been
conducted to evaluate the effects of different soil types
on the growth and leaf yield of A. vera in Bangladesh.
So, it is necessary to select better soil(s) for the
cultivation of this valuable medicinal plant. In this study,
based on the characteristics of the natural distribution
pattern of soils, seven representative soil types of
Bangladesh with different physiochemical properties
were selected for conducting the controlled experiments
on the cultivation of A. vera, aiming to study the
correlations of the soil factors with its growth, and leaf
biomass yield.
Materials and Methods
The experiment was conducted in the net house of
Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture,
Mymensingh during May to August 2017. Seven types of
soils namely acid, calcareous, non-calcareous, charland,
saline, peat and acid sulphate soils were collected from
different locations of six districts of Bangladesh viz.,
Fulbaria (Mymensingh), Sadar (Natore), Agronomy
Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University,
Mymensingh, Melandoh (Jamalpur), Botiaghata
(Khulna), Kotalipara (Gopalganj) and Pekua (Cox’s
Bazar), respectively during the month of
February−April, 2017 for A. vera cultivation. Eighteen
months old A. vera seedlings were collected from
Shomvogonj, Mymensingh and used for the experiment
following CRD with three replications. For the present
investigations, approximately 40 kg soils from each
location were collected from 0–15 cm depth of selected
fallow land to screen out the best soil for Aloe vera
cultivation. The soils were separately put in to plastic
bags and carried to the laboratory with proper tagging.
The collected soil samples were made free from plant
residues and other extraneous materials; then air dried,
ground and sieved through a 2 mm sieve. The whole
process was done several times until adequate amount of
soil was prepared for the experiment. Eight kg processed
soil was taken in each earthen pot of 23 cm in height
with 30 cm diameter at the top and 18 cm diameter at the
bottom. Approximately 500 g sieved soil from each
source was preserved in a polythene bag for physical and
chemical analyses. The soil was mixed thoroughly with
well decomposed dry cow dung (CD), urea, TSP, MoP
and gypsum @500.0, 2.0, 0.9, 1.2 and 0.75 g pot–1,
respectively in each pot for normal growth and
development of A. vera seedlings. The total nutrient
concentrations of CD used in the experiments were OC,
N, P, K, S, Ca and Mg as 24.03, 1.05, 0.35, 0.45, 0.24,
0.16 and 0.015% respectively. Distilled water was added
in each pot, covered with polyethylene and kept for one
week before transplanting. Intercultural operations like
irrigation, soil loosening, weeding, insect pest control
etc. were done as and when necessary. The crop was
destructively harvested at 120 days after planting (DAP),
cleaned, oven dried at 60°C for 72 hours. Plant height,
branches plant−1, leaves plant−1, leaf area plant−1, fresh
and dry leaf weight of stevia were studied. Analysis of
Chowdhury et al.
450
variance (ANOVA) was done following the principal of
F-statistics and the mean values were separated by
Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (Gomez and Gomez,
1984).
Results and Discussion
Soils of different types affect crop production according to
their capability as a nutrient supplier based on plant
requirement. Incorporation of A. vera into agricultural
production systems depends upon details information
regarding the plant, suitability of soil, its agronomic
potentiality and nutritional requirements. Seven different
soils types were selected to find out the most suitable soil for
A. vera cultivation in Bangladesh.
Physico-chemical properties of soils
The results of the physical and chemical properties of
seven soils used in the study have been presented in
Table 1. Colour, texture, pH and EC values, organic
matter, total N, exchangeable K, available P and S
concentrations in different soil types varied
considerably. Majority of the soils were light grey in colour
except acid and peat soils which were reddish and blackish,
respectively. Most of the soils were clay to clay loam in
texture except non-calcareous and charland soils which were
sandy clay loam to loam. Bulk density, particle density and
field capacity varied with respect to soils and ranged from
1.23−1.45 g cm−3, 2.20−2.58 g cm−3 and 27.07−30.20%,
respectively. Non-calcareous soil had the highest particle
density and bulk density whereas the highest field capacity
was found in saline2 soil.
The chemical properties of soils also varied across the soil
types. The range of pH, EC and organic matter content was
found as 3.80−7.80, 0.25−14.04 dS m−1 and 0.88−16.40%,
respectively. The soils were acidic to slightly alkaline which
should render them suitable for growing crops except acid
sulphate soil (pH 3.8). The highest pH (7.8) and EC (14.04
dS m−1) were recorded from saline2 and acid sulphate
soils, respectively. Among the chemical parameters, the
contents of total N, exchangeable K, and available P and S
concentrations ranged from 0.05−0.95%, 0.17−0.73 cmol
kg−1, 3.09−12.10 and 11.06−735.12 μg g−1 soil, respectively.
Peat soil had the highest organic matter (16.40%), N (0.95
%) and exchangeable K (0.73 cmol kg−1) contents.
Conversely, the charland soil exhibited the lowest organic
matter (0.88%) and N (0.05%) contents. Available P
content (12.1%) was highest in non-calcareous soil. Acid
soil had generally intermediate values of the studied
properties (Table 1).
Different types of soil have quite different physico-
chemical properties, which have substantial effects on
the growth, development and the active constituents of
medicinal plants (Li and Xiao, 2012). Thus, various
plants have different demands for appropriate type(s) of
soil. For instance, Liu et al. (2007) reported that the
types and texture of soil were closely related to the
growth and development of medicinal plants and loam
soil was relatively ideal type for the cultivation of
root/stem-types of medicinal plants.
Table 1. Physico-chemical properties of different soil types used for Aloe vera cultivation
Parameters
Soil types
Acid
Calcareous
Non calcareous
Charland
Saline1
Saline2
Peat
Acid
sulphate
Colour
Reddish
Light grey
Light grey
Light grey
Light grey
Light grey
Blackish
Light grey
Texture
Clay
Clay loam
Sandy clay loam
Loam
Clay
Cay
Clay loam
Clay
Bulk density (g cm−3)
1.23
1.42
1.45
1.44
1.25
1.24
1.41
1.28
Particle density (g cm−3)
2.25
2.51
2.58
2.54
2.23
2.20
2.52
2.24
Field capacity (%)
29.86
28.12
27.07
27.15
29.72
30.20
28.34
29.55
pH
5.2
7.5
6.7
7.0
7.5
7.8
5.7
3.8
EC (dS m−1)
0.25
1.26
0.68
0.61
4.41
6.10
4.09
14.04
OM (%)
1.58
1.40
1.83
0.88
1.97
2.51
16.40
2.45
Total N (%)
0.09
0.07
0.12
0.05
0.11
0.15
0.95
0.14
Avail. P (µg g−1)
3.09
4.86
12.1
6.91
5.89
6.90
3.12
4.72
Exch. K (cmol kg−1)
0.20
0.19
0.17
0.18
0.41
0.44
0.73
0.22
Avail. S (µg g−1)
11.80
15.78
11.06
19.50
35.20
43.47
641.40
735.12
Avail. = Available, Exch. = Exchangeable, Saline1 = 6.32 dS m−1 and Saline2 = 8.14 dS m−1.
Effects of different soil types on the growth and leaf
biomass yield of A. vera
Plant height
Data on the effects of different soil types on plant height of
A. vera have been presented in Table 2. Soil types
significantly influenced the height of A. vera plant at harvest.
The highest plant height (44.03 cm) was recorded from the
plant grown in non-calcareous soil which was statistically
identical with those plants grown in acid soil (40.37cm),
calcareous soil (41.73 cm) and charland soil (39.53 cm) but
significantly different from the plants grown in saline, peat
and acid sulphate soils. Saline and peat soils produced
statistically similar heighted plants. The lowest plant height
(23.17 cm) was recorded from the plant grown in acid
sulphate soil. Similar findings were previously reported
by Zaman et al. (2015) in case of stevia, who reported
the tallest plant from non-calcareous soil and shortest
plant from acid sulphate soil.
Leaf number
The number of leaves plant−1 at harvest differed
significantly due to the influence of different soil types of
Bangladesh (Table 2). The highest number of leaves plant−1
Yield performance of Aloe vera in different soils
451
(12.67) was counted from the plant grown in non-
calcareous soil which was identical with the number of
leaves of the plant grown in acid (11.33) and calcareous
(10.89) soils. The plants of calcareous (10.89) and charland
(8.33) soils produced identical number of leaves. Saline
soils of 6.32 and 8.14 dS m−1 also produced identical
number of leaves plant−1. The lowest number of leaves
(4.00) was harvested from the plant grown in peat soil
which was statistically identical with those plants grown in
saline and acid sulphate soils (4.33). Better performance
of non-calcareous and calcareous soils might be due to
their moderate pH, less water holding capacity, good soil
texture and higher nutrient contents compared to other
soils. Similarly acid soil having pH less than 7, strongly
acid in reaction with moderate status of organic matter,
low moisture holding capacity (BARC, 2005) could the
reasons for obtaining better yield. This finding was in
line with Zaman et al. (2015) who observed the highest
leaf number of stevia from non-calcareous soil and the
lowest from acid sulphate soil.
Table 2. Growth and leaf biomass yield of Aloe vera grown in different soil types of Bangladesh
Soil types
Plant height
(cm)
Leaves
plant−1 (no.)
Mean leaf area
plant−1 (cm2)
Dry leaf weight
(g plant−1)
Acid soil
40.37±4.50a
11.33±0.58a
245.97±22.9a
133.4±5.4a
Calcareous soil
41.73±3.82a
10.89±1.15ab
255.57±3.3a
136.0±6.1a
Non-calcareous soil
44.03±4.58a
12.67±2.52a
262.70±18.3a
132.3±13.1a
Charland soil
39.53±3.55a
8.33±1.53b
200.67±16.4b
80.5±10.0b
Saline1 soil
30.73±3.69b
5.67±1.53c
181.89±12.3bc
39.7±2.0c
Saline2 soil
28.37±3.21bc
5.00±1.00c
170.21±15.6cd
30.3±0.9c
Peat soil
25.86±2.65bc
4.00±1.00c
166.54±14.5cd
18.3±3.0d
Acid Sulphate soil
23.17±2.42c
4.33±1.53c
144.38±8.3d
16.3±0.8d
CV%
10.60
19.01
7.40
9.06
LSD0.05
6.28**
2.52**
26.06**
11.51**
Means within the same column followed by different letter(s) were significantly different according to DMRT (**P<0.01),
Values are mean ± SD; Saline1 = 6.32 dS m−1, Saline2 = 8.14 dS m−1. LSD= Least significant difference and CV= Coefficient of
variance
Leaf area
The data pertaining to leaf area plant−1 at harvest as
influenced by different soil types of Bangladesh have
been presented in Table 2. Mean leaf area plant−1 was
significantly affected by different soil types. Maximum
leaf area (262.70 cm2) was measured from the plant
grown in non-calcareous soil, which was identical with
the leaf area of the plants grown in acid (245.97 cm2)
and calcareous (255.57 cm2) soils. Charland (200.67cm2)
and saline1 (181.89 cm2) soils produced identical leaf
area plant−1. Saline soil at all levels and peat soil also
produced identical leaf areas plant−1. The minimum leaf
area (144.38 cm2) was obtained from the plant grown in
acid sulphate soil, which was identical with the plants
grown in saline2 (170.21 cm2) and peat soils (166.54
cm2). These findings were in good agreement with the
results reported by Khanom et al. (2008) and Zaman et al.
(2015) for stevia.
Fresh leaf weight
Soil types had significant effects on leaf fresh weight of
A. vera (Fig. 1). The highest leaf fresh weight was
obtained from the plant grown in non-calcareous soil
(1948 g plant−1), which was statistically non-significant
with the fresh weight of the plant grown in acid (1768 g
plant−1) and calcareous (1896 g plant−1 ) soils.
The lowest fresh weight was obtained from the plant
grown in acid sulphate soil (233 g plant−1), which was
identical with the fresh weight of the plant grown in peat
soil (262 g plant−1). Too low pH of acid sulphate soil
which in turn reduces nutrient availability and very high
organic matter content of peat soil causing nutrient
toxicity could be the prime reason of getting lowest yield
of A. vera. Soil provides physical support to plant as
well as supplies necessary water and nutrient elements
for plant growth and development. Plant growth
basically depends on the physical, chemical and
biological properties of soil. Khanom et al. (2008)
cultivated stevia in four different soils of Bangladesh viz.
calcareous, non-calcareous, acid and saline soils and
reported that non-calcareous soil was the best performer
followed by acid soil for the growth and leaf yield of
stevia. The result coincided with the present study.
Similar results were reported by Zaman et al. (2015) for
the fresh weight of stevia leaf.
Fresh leaf gel weight
A statistically significant variation was noticed in terms
of fresh leaf gel weight of A. vera due to differences in
soil types (Fig. 2). The highest fresh leaf gel weight (907
g plant−1) was obtained from the plant grown in
calcareous soil, which was identical with the gel weight
(880 g plant−1) of the plant grown in acid soil. Better
performance of acid soil might be due to having pH less
than 7, strongly acid in reaction with moderate status of
organic matter, low moisture holding capacity (BARC,
2005). The fresh gel weights of the plants grown in acid
(880 g plant−1) and non-calcareous (859 g plant−1) soils
were also identical. The lowest fresh gel weight was
obtained from the plant grown in peat soil (192 g
plant−1), which was not supported by the result reported
by Rahi et al. (2013) on A. vera grown in sodic soil.
Very poor performance of peat soil might be due to its
high organic matter content (>20%) and water saturated
Chowdhury et al.
452
environment (Khan et al., 2008). The poor performance
of acid sulphate soil mainly could be due to its very low
pH (3.9). The performance variation of different soils for
fresh leaf weight might be due the physical and chemical
properties of the soils under investigation.
Fig. 1. Fresh leaf weight of Aloe vera grown in different soil types of Bangladesh
(Saline1 = 6.32 dS m−1, Saline2 = 8.14 dS m−1)
Soil types
Fresh leaf weight (g plant–1)
Fig. 2. Fresh gel weight of Aloe vera grown in different soil types of Bangladesh
(Saline1 = 6.32 dS m−1 and Saline2 = 8.14 dS m−1)
Fresh gel weight (g plant–1)
Soil types
1000
Yield performance of Aloe vera in different soils
453
In addition, balanced P, K, S, and pH and EC probably
made better combination in calcareous soil for better gel
yield of Aloe vera, as compared to the other soils (Table
1 and Fig. 2). Similar findings were also reported using
balanced NPKS to obtain higher biomass production
(Akamine et al., 2007; Hossain et al., 2012; Ohshiro et
al., 2016)
Dry leaf weight
The dry weight of A. vera leaves varied significantly due
to the differences in soil types (Table 2). The highest
leaf dry weight (136.0 g plant−1) was obtained from the
plant grown in calcareous soil which was identical with
the dry weights of the plants grown in acid (133.4 g
plant−1) and non-calcareous (132.3 g plant−1) soils. The
dry weight of the plant grown in charland soil was 80.5
g plant−1. The lowest dry weight (16.3g plant−1) was
obtained from the plant grown in acid sulphate soil
which was identical with the dry weight (18.3g plant−1)
of the plant grown in peat soil. The dry leaf yield of
other soils increase over acid sulphate soil ranged
between 12% for the plant of peat soil to 734% for the
plant of calcareous soil.
The yield increase of the plants grown in acid, non-
calcareous, charland, saline1 and saline2 soils were 718,
712, 394, 144 and 86%, respectively. Dry leaf yield of A.
vera grown in different soils of Bangladesh was of the
following order: calcareous ≥ acid ≥ non-calcareous >
charland > saline1 (6.32 dSm−1) > saline2 (8.14 dSm−1)
> peat >acid sulphate soils. The performance variation
of different soils for A. vera cultivation might be due the
physical and chemical properties of the soils under
investigation. Among the properties, pH, organic matter
content, salinity, nutrient contents and their availability
could be the prime factors controlling the growth and
yield of any crop. Very poor performance of peat soil
might be due to its high organic matter content (>20%)
and water saturated environment (Khan et al., 2008)
occupied up to 40cm depth having major constituent of
dark brown muck. The poorest performance of acid
sulphate soil mainly could be due to its very low pH
(3.9).
Acid sulphate soil contains iron sulphides. When sea
level rise inundates land, SO42− in the sea water is mixed
with land sediments containing oxides. The resulting
chemical reaction produces sulphuric acid for which the
name acid sulphate soils (Khan et al., 2008) stand. The
potential of the acid sulphate soils for crop production is
severely limited by some environmental factors like
saline tidal flooding, tidal bores and probability of
cyclone storms. Deficiency of P and toxicity of Fe and
Al are the major constraints for crop cultivation in acid
sulphate soil (Mukit, 2013). Similar findings were
reported by Zaman et al. (2015), who found the tallest
stevia plant from non-calcareous soil and the shortest
from acid sulphate soil.
Correlation between different physical parameters of
A. vera
Statistical relationships between growth, yield and yield
attributes were studied. The correlation and regression
lines of these parameters have been presented in Fig. 4.
Fig. 3. Yield increase over acid sulphate soil of Aloe vera grown in different soil types of
Bangladesh (Saline1 = 6.32 dS m−1 and Saline2 = 8.14 dS m−1)
Yield increase over acid sulphate soil (%)
Soil types
Chowdhury et al.
454
The results revealed that the growth and yield
parameters viz. plant height, number of leaves plant−1,
mean leaf area, fresh leaf weight and fresh gel weight (g
plant−1) were significantly and positively correlated
where correlation coefficients (r) were 0.884*, 0.902**,
0.926**and 0.977**, respectively. The relationships
were more evident from the regression equations (y =
76.93x − 1600, y = 76.17x − 14.69, y = 14.79x – 1976
and y = 0.395x + 160.8, respectively) showing gradual
increase in fresh leaf and gel weight with increasing
plant height, number of leaves plant−1, leaf area and
fresh leaf weight.
Conclusion
Aloe vera cultivation is expanding with the passage of
time in different areas of the country as it provides quick
and regular income to the farmers. The overall results of
the study revealed that the growth and leaf gel yield of A.
vera was significantly influenced by different soils types. In
this study, among seven representative soil types, the
calcareous soil displayed the best comprehensive
performances in terms of the plant height, branch and leaf
number, leaf area and fresh weight of leaves followed by
those of non-calcareous and acid soils. The highest results
of other growth parameters i.e., dry weight, gel weight of leaf
and yield increase over acid sulphate soil was found in
calcareous soil. In contrast, the lowest values of all the
parameters were found in the plant grown in acid sulphate
soil, which was at par with the plant grown in peat soil. The
increase of dry leaf yield ranged from 12% in peat soil to
734% in calcareous soil over acid sulphate soil. The overall
results suggest that farmers could be advised to grow A. vera
either in calcareous or acid soils of Bangladesh. Since
calcareous and non-calcareous soils are mostly used for
growing cereals, pulses, cash crop like sugarcane, fruits
etc, acid soil could be a better option for cultivating this
important medicinal crop considering the socio-
economic conditions of the country.
Acknowledgements
The authors express their sincere thanks and gratitude to
the concerned authority of Bangladesh Agricultural
University Research System (BAURES), Mymensigh
for financial support (Project No.: 2017/244/BAU).
They also acknowledge the Aloe vera farmers of
Shomvoganj, Mymensingh for their technical support.
References
Akamine, H., Hossain, M.A., Ishimine, Y., Yogi, K., Hokama, K.,
Iraha, Y. and Aniya, Y. 2007. Effects of application of N, P
and K alone or in combination on growth, yield and
curcumin content of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.). Plant
Production Science, 10: 151–154.
https://doi.org/10.1626/pps.10.151
Al-Humaid, A.I. 2005. Effects of compound fertilization on growth
and alkaloids of datura (Datura innoxia Mill.) plants.
Journal of Plant Nutrition, 27: 2203–2219.
https://doi.org/10.1081/PLN-200034685
C
A
B
D
Fresh gel weight (g plant–1)
Fig. 4. Relationships between (A) plant height and FLW (B) number of leaves plant−1 and FGW (C) leaf area
and FLW and (D) FLW and FGW of Aloe vera grown in different soil types of Bangladesh (FLW =
Fresh leaf weight, FGW = Fresh gel weight)
Fresh leaf weight (g plant–1)
FLW (g plant–1)
Yield performance of Aloe vera in different soils
455
Altieri, M.A. and Nicholls, C.I. 2003. Soil fertility management and
insect pests: harmonizing soil and plant health in
agroecosystems. Soil and Tillage Research, 72: 203–211.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-1987(03)00089-8
Atul, N.C., Santhosh, K.C., Bhattacharjee, C., Subal, D.K. and
kKannan, K. 2011. Studies on immunomodulatory activity
of Aloe vera (Linn). International Journal of Applied
Biology and Pharmaceutical Technology, 2: 19–22.
BARC. 2005. Fertilizer Recommendation Guide, Soil publication
No.45. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, Farm
Gate, New Airport Road, Dhaka-1215.
Bashir, A., Saeed, B., Talat, Y.M., Jehan, N. 2011. Comparative study
of antimicrobial activities of Aloe vera extracts and
antibiotics against isolates from skin infections. African
Journal Biotechnology, 10: 3835–3840.
Birkhofer, K., Bezemer, T.M., Bloem, J., Bonkowski, M., Christensen,
S., Dubois, D., Ekelund, F., Fließbach, A., Gunst, L.,
Hedlund, K., Mäder, P., Mikola, J., Robin, C., Setälä, H.,
Tatin-Froux, F., Van der Putten, W.H. and Scheu, S. 2008.
Long-term organic farming fosters below and aboveground
biota: implications for soil quality, biological control and
productivity. Soil Biology and Biochemistry,40:2297–
2308.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2008.05.007
Borra, S.K., Lagisetty, R.K. and Mallela, G.R. 2011. Anti-ulcer effect
of Aloe vera in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
induced peptic ulcers in rats. African Journal of Pharmacy
and Pharmacology, 5(16): 1867–1871.
Boudreau, M.D. and Beland, F.A. 2006. An evaluasion of the
biological and toxicological propertis of Aloe barbadensis
Mill and Aloe vera. Journal of Environmental Science and
Health, 24 (1): 153–158.
Broadley, M., Brown, P., Cakmak, I., Ma, J.F., Rengel, Z. and Zhao, F.
2012. Beneficial elements. In P. Marschner (eds),
Marschner's Mineral Nutrition of Higher Plants, 3rd Edn.
pp. 249–269. Acadenic Press, USA.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-384905-2.00008-X
Chandan, B.K., Saxena, A.K., Shukla, S., Sharma, N., Gupta, D.K.,
Suri, K.A., Suri, J., Bhadauria, M. and Singh, B. 2007.
Hepatoprotective potential of Aloe barbadensis Mill.
against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity. Journal
of Ethnopharmacology, 111: 560–566.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2007.01.008
PMid:17291700
Chiarini, L., Bevivino, A., Dalmastri, C., Nacamulli, C. and
Tabacchioni, S. 1998. "Influence of plant development,
cultivar and soil type on microbial colonization of maize
roots. Applied Soil Ecology, 8: 11–18
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0929-1393(97)00071-1
Chowdhury, A.H.M.R.H., Rahman, G.M.M., Saha, B.K. and
Chowdhury, M.A.H. 2008. Addition of some tree leaf
litters in forest soil and their effect on the growth, yield and
nutrient uptake by red amaranth. Journal of Agroforestry
and Environment, 2: 1–6.
Dange, E., Bisrat, D., Viljoen, A., Van Wyk, B.E. 2000. Chemistry of
Aloe species. Current Organic Chemistry, 4: 1055–1078.
https://doi.org/10.2174/1385272003375932
Darini, M.T.H., Indradewa, D, Shiddieq, D. and Purwantoro, A. 2013.
Response growth and Aloe vera contains aloin explant
plantlets from different sources. AgroUPY. Journal of
Science, 4(5): 5–12.
Egamberdiyeva, D. 2007. The effect of plant growth promoting
bacteria on growth and nutrient uptake of maize in two
different soils. Applied Soil Ecology, 36: 184–189.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2007.02.005
Garg, J. and Kumar, A. 2012. Effect of different soil types on growth
and productivity of Euphorbia lathyris L. A hydrocarbon
yielding plant. International Journal of Life science and
Pharma Research, 2: 164–173.
Gomez, K.A. and Gomez, A.A. 1984. Statistical Procedures for
Agricultural Research. 2nd Edn., pp. 207–215. John Wiley
& Sons. Inc. New York.
PMid:6476466
Hamman, J.H. 2008. Composition and applications of Aloe vera leaf
gel. Molecules, 13: 1599–1616.
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules13081599
PMid:18794775 PMCid:PMC6245421
Hawkesford, M., Horst, W., Kichey, T., Lambers, H., Schjoerring, J.,
Skrumsager, M. and White, P. 2012. Functions of
macronutrients. In P. Marschner (eds), Marschner's mineral
nutrition of higher plants, 3rd Edn. pp. 135–189. Academic
Press, USA.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-384905-2.00006-6
Hossain, M.A. and Ishimine, Y. 2005. Growth, yield and quality of
turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) cultivated on dark-red soil,
gray soil and red soil in Okinawa, Japan. Plant Production
Science, 8: 482–486.https://doi.org/10.1626/pps.8.482
Hossain, M.A., Yamanishi, M., Yara, T., Chibana, S., Akamine, H.
and Tamaki, M. 2011. Growth characteristics, yield and
mineral content of redflower ragleaf (Crassocephalum
crepidioides (Benth.) S. Moore) at different growth stages,
and in dark-red soil, red soil and gray soil in Okinawa.
Science Bulletin of the Faculty of Agriculture, University
of the Ryukyus, 58: 1–11.
Hossain, M.A., Akamine, H., Nakamura, I. and Tamaki, M. 2012.
Effects of N, P and K on growth characteristics of
redflower rag leaf (Crassocephalum crepidioides). Science
Bulletin of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of the
Ryukyus, 59: 13–18.
Islam, M.M., Karim, A.J.M.S., Jahiruddin, M., Majid, N.M., Miah,
M.G., Ahmed, M.M. and Hakim, M.A. 2011. Effects of
organic manure and chemical fertilizers on crops in the
radish-stem amaranth-indian spinach cropping pattern in
homestead area. Australian Journal of Crop Science, 5:
1370–1378.
Jones, K. 2007. Dietary Aloe vera supplementation and glycemic
control in diabetes. Diabetes, 6–9.
Josias, H.H. 2008. Composition and Applications of Aloe vera Leaf
Gel. Molecules, 13:1599–1616.
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules13081599
PMCid:PMC6245421
Khan, M.S., Rahman, M.M., Begum, R.A., Alam, M.K., Mondal,
A.T.M., Islam, A.I. and Salahin, M.S. 2008. Problems soil
of Bangladesh, Soil science publication, 8:4. Soil Science
Division, Bangladesh Agriculture Institute, Porana Palton,
Dhaka.
Khanom, S., Chowdhury, M.A.H., Islam, M.T. and Saha, B.K. 2008.
Influence of organic and inorganic fertilizers on mineral
nutrition of Stevia in different types of soil. Journal of the
Bangladesh Agricultural University, 6: 27–32.
Kumar, S. and Yadav, J.P. 2014. Ethnobotanical and pharmacological
properties of Aloe vera: A review. Journal of Medicinal
Plant Research, 8(48): 1387–1398.
Latour, X., Corberand, T., Laguerre, G., Allard, F. and Lemanceau, P.
1996. The composition of Flourescent Pseudomonad
population associated with roots is influenced by plant and
soil type. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 62:
2449–2456.
PMid:16535355 PMCid:PMC1388893
Liu, Y., Zhang, Z.S., He, Y.L., Zhang, B.G. and Li, X.E. 2007. Quality
of crude traditional Chinese drugs and ecological
environment. Modernization of Traditional Chinese
Medicine and Materia Materia-World Science and
Technology, 9: 65–69.
Li, Q.L. and Xiao, H.L. 2012. The interactions of soil properties and
biochemical factors with plant allelopathy. Ecology and
Environmental Sciences, 21: 2031–2036.
Lützow, M.V., Kögel-Knabner, I., Ekschmitt, K., Matzner, E.,
Guggenberger, G., Marschner, B. and Flessa, H. 2006.
Stabilization of organic matter in temperate soils:
mechanisms and their relevance under different soil
conditions - a review. European Journal of Soil Science, 57:
426–445.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2389.2006.00809.x
Manvitha, K. and Bidya, B. 2014. Aloe vera: A wonder plant its
history, cultivation and medicinal uses. Journal of
Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 2(5): 85–88.
McKeown, E. 1987. Aloe vera. Cosmetic and Toiletries, 102: 64–65.
Mevi-Schütz, J., Goverde, M. and Erhardt, A. 2003. Effects of
fertilization and elevated CO2 on larval food and butterfly
Chowdhury et al.
456
nectar amino acid preference in Coenonympha pamphilus
L. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobioligy, 54: 36–43.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-003-0601-8
Miladi, S. and Damak, M. 2008. In vitro antioxidant activities of Aloe
vera leaf skin extracts. Journal de la Société Chimique de
Tunisie, 10: 101–109.
Moorthy, S.K. and Malliga, P. 2012. Plant characteristics, growth and
leaf gel yield of Aloe barbadensis Miller as affected by
cyanopith biofertilizer in pot culture. International Journal
of Civil and Structural Engineering, 2(3): 884.
Mukit, M.R. 2013. Agripedia series, Agri-career, 3rd Edn. The
Network Scientific Publication, Dhaka. pp. 162–163.
Naveena, Bharath, B.K., Selva, S. 2011. Antitumor activity of Aloe
vera against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) in Swiss
albino mice. International Journal of Pharma and Bio
Sciences, 2: 400–409.
Ohshiro, M., Hossain, M.A., Nakamura, I., Akamine, H., Tamaki, M.,
Bhowmik, P.C. and Nose, A. 2016. Effects of soil types and
fertilizers on growth, yield, and quality of edible
Amaranthus tricolor lines in Okinawa, Japan. Plant
Production Science, 19(1): 61–72.
https://doi.org/10.1080/1343943X.2015.1128087
Okonkwo, B.O. Ejema, O.P. and Ofudu, P.K. 2009. Aloe vera:
Medicinal power plant. J. K. publishers Enugu, Nigeria. p.
37.
Orcutt, D.M. and Nilsen, E.T. 2000. Physiology of Plants under Stress:
Soil and Biotic Factors. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New
York.
PMCid:PMC102418
Pineda, A., Zheng, S.J., Van Loon J.J.A., Pieterse, C.M.J. and Dicke,
M. 2010. Helping plants to deal with insects: the role of
beneficial soil-borne microbes. Trends Plant Science, 15:
507–514.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2010.05.007
PMid:20542720
Rahi, T.S., Singh, K. and Singh, B. 2013. Screening of sodicity
tolerance in Aloe vera: an industrial crop for utilization of
sodic lands. Industrial Crops and Products, 44: 528–
533.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2012.10.001
Sripontan, Y., Hung, M.H., Young, C.C. and Hwang, S.Y. 2014.
Effects of soil type and plant growth promoting
microorganism on cabbage and Spodoptera litura
performance. Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 63(3):
153–161.
Surjushe, A., Vasani, R. and Saple, D.G. 2008. Aloe vera: A short
review. Indian Journal of Dermatology, 53(4): 163–166.
https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5154.44785
PMid:19882025 PMCid:PMC2763764
Yusuf, S., Abdulkarim, A. and Mshelia, D. 2004. Effects of Aloe vera
on gastric acid secretion and acute gastric mucosal injury.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 93: 33–37.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2004.03.027
PMid:15182901
Zaman, M.M., Chowdhury, M.A.H. and Chowdhury T. 2015. Growth
parameters and leaf biomass yield of stevia (Stevia
rebaudiana, Bertoni) as influenced by different soil types of
Bangladesh. Journal of the Bangladesh Agricultural
University, 13(1): 31–37.
https://doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v13i1.28708
