Screening of sodicity tolerance in Aloe vera: An industrial crop for utilization of sodic lands

Abstract

In this study an experiment was carried out for two years to assess the effects of various exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) levels on growth, gel yield, aloin content and nutrient content of Aloe vera. A. vera suckers were planted at 10 (control), 15, 30, 45 and 60 ESP levels in pots. Suckers planted up to 30 ESP level survived well, while, those planted at 45 ESP picked up their growth in second year. But suckers planted at 60 ESP died. Number of suckers, leaf numbers and leaf biomass increased significantly in both the years at 15 and 30 ESP as compared to control and 45 ESP. The gel content also increased at 15 ESP level in both the years from the control plants but decreased significantly at 30 and 45 ESP, whereas, aloin content increased significantly up to 30 ESP after that decreased at 45 ESP. Concentration of nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) decreased significantly from 15 to 45 ESP, while, the concentration of phosphorus (P) and sodium (Na) increased correspondingly. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) was less at 15 ESP and P use efficiency was high at control and 45 ESP. It is concluded that sodic soils up to 30 ESP can be utilized for the cultivation of A. vera.