EFFECTS OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC NUTRIENT SOURCES ON PERFORMANCE OF ALOE VERA AND SOIL CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

摘要

Research-based fertilizer recommendations for production of Aloe vera are scanty and it is essential to have anappropriate fertilizer recommendation for enhanced yield and nutrient composition. This study was carried out todetermine the effects of organic and inorganic nutrient sources on performance of Aloe vera and soil chemicalproperties. The treatments which comprise control (Plot with no application of nutrient),inorganic N (Urea) + SSP +MOP, organic N (Alesinloye) + SSP +MOP, organic N (Poultry manure) + SSP + MOP were replicated thrice,monitored for two years and all applied at 125 kgN/ha, 30 kg P/ha and 90 kg K/ha recommendation. Data on number,length, width, thickness and volume of leaves and number of suckers were collected and soil chemical properties andtextural composition were also determined. Application of inorganic (N) fertilizer and poultry manure improved thegrowth and yield parameters of Aloe vera. The soil P, Mg, Cu and pH were also significantly increased by Alesinloyeorganic fertilizer. Aloe vera farmers in general should embark on the use of commercial organic fertilizer and Poultrymanure for effective growth, yield and soil fertility improvement in the study area.