Phosphorous Use Efficiency and Its Requirement for Aloe Vera Cultivated on Silty Loam Soils

Abstract

ABSTRACT Balanced application of phosphorus (P) fertilizer is important for productive agricultural systems with a reduced environmental footprint. This study aimed to assess the effect of P on the leaf yield, P use efficiency, P concentration and uptake by Aloe vera. A pot trial experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design, with six levels of P applied at 0, 30, 45, 60, 80, and 120 kg ha−1, replicated in triplicate. The results revealed that yield attributes, leaf yield, P concentration and uptake were significantly improved with P application and optimum results were obtained when P was applied at 80 kg ha−1. The addition of P increased leaf yield by 33 to 91% compared to the untreated control. Likewise, the highest numbers of suckers, leaves, fresh and dry gel weight, and profit based on benefit cost ratio was recorded with this treatment. In contrast, the highest P concentration and uptake by the leaf were observed at the highest P treatment rate of 120 kg ha−1. The highest plant height, leaf area and fresh gel weight were responsible for the production of higher leaf yield. The minimum amount of P for 80% leaf biomass production was estimated to be 43.9 kg ha−1 whereas the critical leaf P concentration was 0.62% for Aloe vera cultivation. The result suggests that application of 80 kg P ha−1 could produce economically higher yield of A. vera, and further investigation is now required to validate these results for other soil types under field conditions.