The effects of aloe vera concetrations on the root development of slips of Smooth cayene pineapple variety.
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Date
2026
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Busitema University
Abstract
Pineapple (Ananas Comosus) is tropical fruit grown by farmers in Uganda, yet it’s a sluggish and poor rooting crop which results in longer rooting days, and mortality. Synthetic auxin IBA encourages roots growth, but unaffordable to farmers. Aloe vera(aloe barbadensis Miller) is a promising natural rooting enhancer whose effect on pineapple slips has not yet been tested the optimum concentration for better roots, therefore various concentrations of the extract on the root development of pineapple slips (var.smooth cayenne) were assessed in this study. The experiment was conducted in a screen house; water, Aloe vera extract at 25%, 50%, 75% and indole-3-butyric acid were the treatments. About 270 slips was used in a CRD and data collected on Days to root emergency, root length, root number, root colour, fresh and dry weight, and slip survival % after 4, 5, 6, and 8WAP. ANOVA and HSD test for mean separation (p<0.05) and Ordinal logistic regression was used in the analysis. Results showed significant effects (p<0.001) treatments of parameters measured. Root length, 50%Aloe vera and IBA had longest roots (15.74± 0.69 and 15.71±0.60cm, respectively) than the control (10.53±0.28cm).While 75% A.V and IBA had shortest days to root emergence (17.08 ± 0.42 and 16.37± 0.35 days, respectively). In comparison to the control (24.87±1.94), the root number was highest in IBA (38.74± 1.70) and 75% Aloe vera (34.39±2.19). Both 50% Aloe vera and IBA had the highest slip survival %( 82.23% and 84.45%, respectively) compared to control (34.43%), and 50% Aloe vera had the highest dry root weight (2.69±0.60g), exceeding IBA (2.20±0.14 g). Root colour (P<0.019) and length (P<0.001) had Significant treatment ×season interactions. These results evidenced the rejection of null hypotheses and adoption of 50% Aloe vera since it offers greatest balance. Future studies should verify these results in field settings across agro-ecological zones and evaluate long-term effects on fruit quality and development
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Undergraduate research report
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Hasahya, E. (2026). The effects of aloe vera concetrations on the root development of slips of Smooth cayene pineapple variety. [Unpublished undergraduate research report]. Busitema University.