Physiological and yield responses of Aloe vera plant to biofertilizers under different irrigation regimes

•The experiment was conducted in warm and dry region.•Acceptable Aloe vera yield was achieved by 50% water saveing.•Combination of mycorrhizal fungi and phosphate solubilizing bacteria increased leaf fresh weight as Aloe vera yield.•Biofertilizers application can increase total chlorophyll content and plant photosynthesis.•The beneficial effect of biofertilizer and full irrigation regimes combination was observed on some physiological traits. Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) is one of the most important medicinal plants with high resistance to drought, whose tolerability can be promoted using biofertilizers. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of biofertilizers on some physiological traits and leaf fresh weight of Aloe vera under different irrigation regimes. The experiments were conducted in a research field in Iran (Boushehr with warm and dry climate) during 2016-2018. Irrigation treatments included 25, 50, 75 and 100% of water requirement and the applied biofertilizers treatments were mycorrhizal fungi (MF) (Glomus mosae), phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) (including Pseudomonas putida strain P13 and Pantoea agglomerans strain P5), MF + PSB, and control (without any biofertilizers). The results of three harvests showed advantages of biofertilizers (specially the combination of MF and PSB) utilization on all determined factors such as total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, leaf proline, and soluble sugar amount. The highest yield was obtained in full irrigation, but due to the absence of significant difference in leaf fresh weight of this treatment with 50% irrigation, as well as the water deficit in Boushehr, located in semi-arid region, 50% irrigation and combination of MF and PSB biofertilizers is recommended. Therefore, Aloe vera is an acceptable option for planting in Boushehr province according to its scant water consumption.