Turning Waste into Fertilizer: Aloe vera Leaf Shavings Improve Plant Growth and Support Soil Fertility in Organic Systems
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The Aloe vera industry discards large amounts of outer leaf tissue (“shavings”), creating an opportunity to repurpose this byproduct as a sustainable fertilizer. This study evaluated whether aloe shavings can serve as a plant-based alternative to compost in organic Aloe vera production. A field trial in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas tested three treatments: aloe shavings (applied to supply 39 kg N ha−1), organic compost (39 kg N ha−1), and a non-fertilized control. Laboratory incubations further assessed nitrogen mineralization and microbial respiration. Aloe shavings significantly enhanced vegetative growth: leaf number increased from 5.7 to 12.3 leaves per plant (+115% over the season), and leaf length rose from 20 to 32 cm, with the greatest gains in September and March (p < 0.05). At harvest, plants receiving aloe shavings produced 456 g total leaf weight and 151 g gel weight per plant, compared to 375 g and 108 g in the control. Incubations showed initial nitrogen immobilization (negative mineralization) but subsequent slow release, while microbial respiration was higher in compost (2.3 mg CO2-C kg−1 day−1) than aloe shavings (1.4 mg CO2-C kg−1 day−1). These results highlight aloe shavings as a low-cost, slow-release organic amendment that reduces waste, supports circular economy practices, and enhances Aloe vera growth without mineral nitrogen addition.
Source: Soil Systems
Institution: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,172
OpenAlex ID: W4415205507