Abstract

To study the growth and yield of Aloe (Aloe barbadensis Miller) in polyhouse condition as influenced by harvest dates, an experiment was carried out at the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAP) Block, Experimental Farm, Department of Horticulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat during 2015–16. A total of four treatments with five replications were laid out in a randomized block design. The treatments were 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). The results showed that the different harvest intervals had significant effect on the growth and yield of Aloe. The maximum plant height, leaves per plant, matured leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf diameter, leaf thickness, leaf volume and number of suckers per plant were recorded in T3 treatment, whereas the minimum values were recorded in T1 treatment. Regarding the different plant weight parameters, the maximum leaf fresh weight, leaf dry weight, peel fresh weight, peel dry weight, gel fresh weight and gel dry weight were recorded in T3 treatment, while the minimum values were recorded in T1 treatment. The maximum gel powder yield, gel per leaf and total leaf yield were recorded in T3 treatment against the minimum values under T1. Economic studies showed that T3 treatment had the highest B: C ratio, whereas the lowest was recorded in T1 treatment. In general, Aloe leaves harvested at three and a half months interval resulted in higher productivity and maximum benefit in sub-tropical climate like Jorhat, Assam.