[Effects of different levels of zeolite on plant growth and amount of gel production in Aloe vera L. under different irrigation]

ABSTRACT

Researchers' attention has been focused on Aloe vera for a long time due to the numerous medicinal effects of this plant and its application in various fields of food, cosmetic and hygienic industries. This study was conducted to evaluate the different levels of Zeolite and irrigation conditions on vegetative growth and quantitative and qualitative changes in plant gel. It is based on a factorial randomized complete block design with 4 levels of Zeolite in soil and 3 levels of irrigation, in 3 replications. After 5 months, morphological traits were measured. Also the amount of aloin in leaf and vitamin C in the gel were measured. The best results of morphological traits were obtained with 22 g Zeolite treatment in 5 kg pots of soil and 21 days irrigation. The highest amount of aloin was observed in 44 g Zeolite treatment in 5 kg pots of soil with 7 days irrigation. The highest amount of vitamin C was obtained in 44 g Zeolite treatment in 5 kg pots of soil with 14 days irrigation. The overall results showed that zeolite plays an important role in promoting growth and increasing secondary metabolites in plant Aloe vera under different irrigation