Effect of water availability on growth and water use efficiency for biomass and gel production in Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis M.)

Relationships between leaf anatomy, morphology, and water use efficiency in Aloe vera (L) Burm f. as a function of water availability

“…The total mesophyll thickness at the leaf level was 3.4 in T2 and 2.9 mm in T4 ( Table 3). All of these results are in agreement with WUE, as recently reported by Silva et al (2010).…”

“…In five evaluations during the experimental period, Silva et al (2010) reported a seasonal relationship between leaf biomass and gel produced and the amount of water used for production; their data indicated that total aerial biomass production is a function of water availability, with more water producing more aerial biomass. In each case, there was a linear relationship between the variables, but the slopes differed.…”

“…According to Silva et al (2010), five leaf harvests were conducted during the experiment (in February, June, July, September, and December 2007), with 10 leaves selected per treatment (one per plant) from the peripheral part of the plants. The leaves were collected by cutting the plant with a basal area of insertion, without destroying the tissue, and the collected leaves were placed in a cooler.…”

Extraction, Characterization and Properties of the Gel of Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) Cultivated in Chile

“…The species is therefore adapted to arid and semi-arid regions such as northern Chile (from the II to IV Regions) [2]. These regions have an arid Mediterranean climate with mean annual precipitation of 170 mm in rainy years and 40 mm in dry years.…”

“…The mean maximum temperature is 32°C at midday in summer, with occasional peaks of up to 45°C. The average minimum night time temperature in winter and spring is 6°C [2,3].…”