Abstract

Aloe vera Linn. (2n = 14) is a succulent belongs to the family Liliaceae. Its leaves contain a very small quantity of viscous yellow fluid known as Aloe latex, which is embedded in the pericyclic cells of the vascular bundles. The dried latex otherwise known as Aloin is primarily used as a laxative or cathartic agent in Indian System of Medicines. The leaf gel or polysaccharides have been known to possess important biological properties such as anti_x0002_inflammatory, antibacterial, antitumour, antiallergic, infected wound healing by immuno enhancement and general tonic. The current global turnover of raw Aloe leaves amount upto US $70-80 million, which is expected to grow at a rate of 35 per cent in the next five years. The area under Aloe vera cultivation worldwide is 23589 ha, of which various American countries alone possess 19,189 ha, Australia 4170 ha, Africa 300 ha and India possesses only negligible area under this crop (Yogeeswaran et al., 2005). So far its commercial cultivation is not popular among the farming community because of lack of technical know-how on correct ecotype/strain of Aloe vera and its package of practices. Though there is much diversity in Aloe vera, farmers find it very difficult to choose the best ecotype for commercial cultivation. Hence, an investigation was carried out to assess the range of variability exists among different Aloe vera ecotypes and to correlate the different growth parameters with yield and quality.

Keywords: Aloe vera, Correlation, Ecotypes