Nutrient uptake and pharmaceutical compounds of Aloe vera as influenced by integration of inorganic fertilizer and poultry manure in soil

Aloe vera had been used for numerous medical and cosmetic applications since ancient times. The study aimed to investigate the integrated effects of inorganic fertilizer (IF) and poultry manure (PM) on the nutritional and pharmaceutical constituents of A. vera. Eighteen month old A. vera seedlings were used following completely randomized design with three replications. Six combinations of IF [Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sulphur (S) at the rate of 150, 80, 120 and 30 kg ha(−1), respectively] and PM (at the rate of 5 t ha(−1)) were considered viz., IF(00)PM(00) (IF = 0%, PM = 0%), IF(100)PM(00)(IF = 100%, PM = 0%), IF(75)PM(25) (IF = 75%, PM = 25%), IF(50)PM(50) (IF = 50%, PM = 50%), IF(25)PM(75) (IF = 25%, PM = 75%) and IF(00)PM(100) (IF = 0%, PM = 100%) as treatments. Different treatment combinations of IF and PM exerted significant influence on the nutritional and pharmaceutical contents of A. vera. Concentrations and uptake of the concerned nutrients were gradually increased with the increased levels of PM except NPKS which were highest in sole application of IF. The aloin concentration of leaf was gradually increased with the increased level of PM and by 42.44% over control. The highest chlorophyll, total phenolic and flavonoid concentrations were found in the plants receiving the treatment IF(25)PM(75) except protein content which was obtained from IF(100)PM(00). Significant and positive relationships between N and S with P concentrations and P and S with K concentrations of A. vera leaf were noticed. Aloin, total phenolic and flavonoid concentrations were significantly and positively correlated with Mg, Fe and Mn concentrations of A. vera leaf. Farmers may be advised to cultivate A. vera applying 75% PM at the rate of 5 t ha(−1) along with 25% IF (N, P, K and S at the rate of 150, 80, 120 and 30 kg ha(−1), respectively) for obtaining better quality leaf in terms of nutrients and pharmaceutical compounds under the agro-climatic conditions of the study area.