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Aloe vera is a juicy plant grown in India and has countless...

Aloe vera is a juicy plant grown in India and has countless uses related to it

Aloe Vera Farming

Aloe is a succulent plant that is widely used in alternative medicine. There are at least 420 different plant species of aloe. Aloe vera specifically refers to the plant Aloe barbadensis Miller, which is the most common form used in aloe-based products. Aloe vera is in great demand in the international and domestic markets due to its medicinal and cosmetic uses. Aloe vera has been used in Ayurveda since ancient times due to its curative and therapeutic properties.
Although commercial cultivation of Aloe is still in its primary stage in India, its cultivation has recently been increasing rapidly in the semi-arid and arid regions of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. , In Rajasthan, Aloe is very popular in Bikaner region and is an integral part of kitchen gardens and is also grown on a limited scale in Alwar.

How is aloe used:

Traditionally, the clear gel of the aloe plant is applied to the skin as an ointment to treat wounds and burns. The green part of the leaf can be juiced or dried and taken orally as a laxative. Aloe vera is used in many commercial products in various forms, including beverages, concentrates, capsules, powders, and flavors. Applying aloe vera gel on the skin is not likely to cause harm. Although these particular NTP studies only looked at oral exposure to aloe vera, other NTP studies examined the effects of the gel on the skin and found no strong association between aloe vera in skin care products, sunlight, and the development of skin cancer.

Aloe Vera Farming Benefits Analysis:

Aloe vera cultivation requires less investment and gives higher returns. A farmer can plant about 60 thousand plants of Aloe Vera in 1 acre of land and the cost of production of Aloe Vera for 1 acre of land is about Rs 1.8 - 2 lakh.

Composition and Application:

The active component of Aloe is a blend of glycosides known as 'Aloin,' which varies among different species of Aloe. Through phytochemical analysis of Aloe, the presence of compounds such as Aloin, Aloe Emodin, Monosaccharides, Glucosides, Sterols Triterpenes, and others can be identified. In the gel/sap, when dissolved in water, there are approximately 17 amino acids, D-mannose, Uronic acid, and more. Aloe leaves are a treasure trove of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, sterols, and anthraquinones. Aloe has been employed for centuries to remedy various ailments. The plant generates at least six antiseptic agents, including Lupeol, Salicylic Acid, Urea Nitrogen, Cinnamic Acid, Phenol, and Sulfur. All these substances are recognized as antiseptics since they combat fungi, bacteria, mold, and viruses.

The Utilization of Aloe : Aloe has been utilized for centuries to address numerous health issues. The plant produces a minimum of 6 antiseptic agents, such as Lupeol, Salicylic Acid, Urea Nitrogen, Cinnamic Acid, Phenol, and Sulfur, which are identified for their ability to combat fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Dried or juiced Aloe exposed to sunlight or fire yields a colorless, transparent, resinous extract known as 'Hepatic' or Aloe Arak. This extract, apart from dried sap, is a crucial product. The leaf's mucilage, primarily composed of polysaccharides, finds applications in the cosmetic industry and in the treatment of several human ailments.

Crop improvement : There is no defined variety of Aloe available yet because it is propagated by suckers due to the low probability of variability, but cross-pollination is common under natural populations. No work has yet been done on the sexual compatibility phenomenon of Aloe. Since there is a high demand for Indian aloe in cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries as well as for culinary purposes, hence, there is a need to develop varieties depending on the user group.

Agricultural Technique : Planting - For cultivating Aloe, there is no need for the soil preparation to be very deep, as the fibrous root system of Aloe cannot penetrate too deeply. Healthy suckers with 4-5 leaves are separated from the main plant and directly planted in the field at a distance of 60X60 cm. Planting of suckers should ideally be done in July-August for better establishment in the field and optimal plant growth. However, in irrigated conditions, planting can be done at any time throughout the year, excluding the winter months. It is advisable to avoid planting during excessively hot periods to prevent stress on the plants.

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Irrigation: Aloe tolerates water stress conditions well, but for optimal crop yield, irrigation should be carried out at critical stages of development. The first irrigation is essential immediately after planting the suckers, followed by 2-3 irrigations at weekly intervals until the establishment of the plant. In summers, 2-3 irrigations, and in winters, 1-2 irrigations may be sufficient for the proper growth of the plants. It is also recommended to avoid waterlogging conditions. Adequate irrigation not only enhances the productivity of quality leaf pads but also assists in simultaneous and uniform development. Although Aloe can be grown successfully in dry and semi-arid climates where water from wells is saline or brackish, the use of quality irrigation water is suggested for excellent growth and sweet sap production.

Nutrition: The precise dosage and type of fertilizers for Aloe vera cultivation have not been worked out yet. In the Bikaner region, during the planting of suckers, the use of wood ash in pits and the residue of wood/cow dung in standing crops is a traditional practice that should be scientifically evaluated. The application of wood ash placed in pits during planting helps in the establishment of plants and their subsequent development. It has also been suggested that in very poor soils, 50 kilograms of nitrogen and 25 kilograms each of phosphorus and potassium are applied before planting.