A Review on the Diverse Uses, Conservation Measures and Agronomic Aspect of Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.

Aims: This study aims to review the diverse uses of Aloe vera (true aloe) as well as the conservation measures and conventional cultivation techniques.

Study Design: Best evidence review.

Place and Duration of Study: Biomedicinal Research Centre, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria.

Methodology: Search inputs such as Aloe vera, Aloe barbadensis in conjunction with the following terms: ‘uses’, ‘overexploitation’, ‘conservation’, ‘policy’, ‘cultivation’, ‘yield’, and ‘agronomic practices’ were queried on several scientific databases. Search engines, were also queried for publications covering exploitation, conservation approaches, and cultivation requirements on Aloe vera. Other databases such as ScienceDirect and SciFinder were accessed for relevant papers and supplement acquired information after articles (outside the defined scope of the review) were excluded.

Results: Aloe vera (true aloe) has been engaged particularly for medicinal and cosmetic purposes for thousands of years, and its utilization remains popular till date. Aloe vera is popularly valued for its natural products, including nutritional benefits in food, source of nectar for honey bees and nectarivorous birds and horticulture. In this study, several studies demonstrating the botanical characteristics and ecological adaptation of A. vera were discussed; agronomic techniques involving the requirements for land preparation, propagation and harvesting were also considered as well as the growth yield of the plant due to different soil types and nutrient applications.

Conclusion: For the multifarous uses of Aloe vera, adequate policy should be appropriated to regions where this plant is put to industrial uses, over-exploited and threatened. Calcareous and non-calcareous soil have maximum yield on true aloe. Azotobacter chroococcum of strain 12 has turned out to be a good growth stimulant bacterium when treated with A. vera. Aloe rust and anthracnose disease are known fungal infections, while Aloe vera aphid (Aloephagus myersi) is an identified pest of the plant.