Productivity Evaluation of Aloe Vera with Tree-based Agroforestry Systems in the Charland Ecosystem of Bangladesh

Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Mill.) offers both economic and therapeutic benefits in Bangladesh, thereby enhancing farmers’ profits and addressing the growing demand for natural health products. Its integration into woody perennials can increase both income and productivity. However, research on the productivity evaluation of aloe vera in association with trees in different agroforestry systems in charland is limited, underscoring the need for further study. Therefore, an experiment was conducted from July 2022 to October 2024 in Char Kalibari under Sadar Upazila of Mymensingh District, Bangladesh, to evaluate the growth, yield, and economic productivity of aloe vera with tree-based agroforestry systems. A single-factor randomized complete block design with four treatments and three replications was employed, resulting in a total of 12 plots, each measuring 16 m². The treatments consisted of T₀, representing aloe vera sole cropping (control), T₁ = aloe vera with Swietenia macrophylla agroforestry, T₂ = aloe vera with Mangifera indica agroforestry, and T₃ = aloe vera with Psidium guajava agroforestry. Aloe vera suckers were transplanted into the interspaces, where the trees were permanently grown at a spacing of 2 m × 2 m. Findings revealed that aloe vera in sole cropping had significant growth and the highest fresh leaf yield (39.6 t ha^-1) compared to agroforestry treatments. Among the agroforestry combinations, the aloe vera-Swietenia macrophylla performed better than others, while the aloe vera-Psidium guajava showed the lowest growth and yield. From an economic point of view, the aloe vera-Mangifera indica agroforestry system provided the highest net income (664579 Tk ha^-1), benefit-cost ratio (1.81), and land equivalent ratio (1.69), making it the most profitable agroforestry combination. Correlation analyses revealed strong positive relationships between yield and key yield-contributing characters, including plant height, leaf number, leaf length and diameter, and individual leaf weight. In summary, the limited negative impact of tree components on the aloe vera plant emphasizes the viability of its cultivation in agroforestry systems in the Charland ecosystems to meet national demand.

Keywords: Medicinal plant; Agroforestry systems; Crop yield; Tree income, Economic analysis.