Effects of mild and severe drought stress on the biomass, phenolic compounds production and photochemical activity of Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.

Abstract

In this study, the biomass, compatible solutes, PSII functioning and phenolic profiles of Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. leaves were investigated at different time intervals after drought stress (20, 40 and 80 % of the field capacity). While the impaired ability of leaves for synthesis of assimilates caused growth inhibition in A. vera under severe drought stress, we observed that the content of proline, soluble sugars, total phenolic and flavonoids tended to increase in plants treated with mild drought stress. Under mild drought stress, the increased leaf thickness correlated with the higher productivity in terms of leaf biomass and gel production. Also, mild drought stress enhanced photochemical activity in Aloe leaves, and changed the entire quantity of secondary metabolite of vanillic acid produced, which may be considered to obtain better growth and considerable secondary metabolite of the medicinal Aloe plants treated with mild drought stress.