Comparative performance of aloe (Aloe barbadensis M.) under open and polyhouse conditions as influenced by different harvest intervals

Abstract

To study the growth and development of Aloe barbadensis M. in open and polyhouse environment and also to determine the proper harvest time of Aloe barbadensis M. in Assam condition, an experiment was carried out at the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Block, Experimental Farm, Department of Horticulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat. A total of four treatments with five replications were laid out in a Randomized Block Design. The treatments comprised of: T0- Harvesting at an interval of two months (recommended practice), T1- Harvesting at one and a half months interval (after first harvest), T2- Harvesting at two and a half months interval (after first harvest) and T3- Harvesting at three and a half months interval (after first harvest) for both open and polyhouse conditions. The results showed that the different harvest intervals had significant effects on the growth and yield of Aloe. The maximum values for all the growth and yield parameters for both polyhouse and open conditions were observed in T3 treatment while the minimum values were observed in T1 treatment. Hence, it can be concluded that Aloe leaves harvested at three and a half months interval in polyhouse resulted in higher productivity and maximum benefit in subtropical climate like Jorhat, Assam.