ECOLOGÍA Y PRODUCCIÓN DE SÁBILA EN LA ZONA SEMIÁRIDA DE SAN LUIS POTOSÍ

Abstract

Aloe (Aloe vera) an African species was introduced in Mexico in colonial times by the Spanish Jesuits. In San Luis Potosi, this species has been naturalized and is currently found from sea level up to 2,000 m. The species is growing near by rural settlements, forming round-shaped colon1es, usually thriving under the canopy of native trer· species. Plots of 3 x 3 m, div1ded in 9 subplots of 0.5 x 0.5 m were randomly C:istributed. In each of the subplots height of each individual plant, plant cover, frequency, and density were measured. The structural analysis of height indicated the presence of three dominant layers: 6-30, 31-60, and 61-90 cm. Dominant size-class was 31-60 cm with an importance index value of 206. Soil chemical determinations of the sar.ipled stands had an organic matter content of 1.5 to 9%, clay or silty loam texture, and pH from 7 to 7.8. Field evaluations of six aloe provenances managed under rainfed and irrigated conditions for seven and five years, respectively were not significant (p>0.05) for survival, root suckers per plant, height, gross total weight, gel biomass, and number of leaves per plant. Average biomass production was 161 ton ha-1 y(1 and 85 ton ha-1 y(1 for irrigated and rainfed conditions, respectively.