Phytochemical Responses of Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) to Irrigation and Fertilizer Treatments

This study examined how irrigation intervals and integrated fertilizer treatments influence the phytochemical profile, bioactive metabolites, and nutritional properties of Aloe vera under arid climate conditions. Field experiments were conducted from ۲۰۲۲ to ۲۰۲۴ in Roodan County (Hormozgan Province, Iran) using a randomized complete block split-plot design. Irrigation interval (۴, ۸, ۱۲, or ۱۶ days) was assigned to the main plots, while eight fertilizer treatments consisted of different combinations of NPK, nano silicon (NSi), and Humic Acid (HA). The results demonstrated that prolonged irrigation intervals (≥۱۲ days) markedly reduced biomass accumulation, while integrated fertilizer applications alleviated drought-induced stress. Importantly, drought stress enhanced the accumulation of key phytochemicals. Glucomannan content peaked at ۱۴.۹۶ mg/g DW with NPK+NSi+HA under ۱۲-day irrigation, while aloin content reached ۳۵.۹۳ mg/ g DW under ۱۶-day irrigation. Moreover, glucose (۲۳.۳۶ mg/g DW) and fructose (۲۱.۷۹ mg/g DW) levels significantly increased under severe water deficit. The integrated use of NPK, NSi, and HA enhanced nutrient uptake, metabolic regulation, and bioactive compound production, thereby improving plant resilience and chemical quality under drought stress. These findings highlight the potential of combined conventional and nano-fertilizers as an effective strategy to optimize the phytochemical yield and medicinal value of Aloe vera in arid environments.

کلیدواژه ها:

Aloin ، Drought ، Glucomannan ، Humic acid ، Nano-silicon ، Nutrient uptake