Micropropagation Protocol for Mass Multiplication of Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) Bertoni: A Natural Sweetener

Abstract

Abstract

Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) Bertoni is a small perennial herb of the family Asteraceae. It’s sweetening power ranges from 100–300 times more than sucrose. The sweet compounds found in Stevia leaves are diterpene glycosides (steviol glycosides), eight diterpene glycosides with sweetening properties have been identified in leaf tissue of stevia. It is reported to be hypoglycemic, hypotensive and effective in curing skin disorders, tooth decay etc. The market opportunity appears great statistics indicate that in some countries up to 35% of their needed sugar is replaced by chemical-based (synthetic) stevioside like sweetness products. India being largest consumer of cane sugar along with largest diabetic population in the world, Stevia is ideally poised to make significant contribution in satisfying the Indian demand of natural low calories sweetener. Tissue culture technique has been adopted as an alternative method for rapid and large scale multiplication of S. rebaudiana for attaining market demand. Multiple shoots were obtained from nodal explants of Stevia when cultured on Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium supplemented with BAP, 80–85% bud break response was achieved. MS medium was found superior as compare to B5 and N6 medium. These regenerated shoots when cultured on MS medium Supplemented with 8.0 μM BAP gave maximum shoot multiplication rate (about 10–12 folds). 80–85% rooting response was obtained on half strength MS medium supplemented with 5.0μM IBA. Hardening and acclimatization of these regenerated plantlets is carried out in mist chamber and shade house conditions.

Keywords: Stevia rebaudiana, micropropagation, benzylaminopurine (BAP), indole butyric acid (IBA)

Cite this Article:
Rathi Neelima, Arya Sarita, Arya ID. Micropropagation protocol for mass multiplication of Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) Bertoni: A Natural Sweetener. Research & Reviews: Journal of Biotechnology. 2015; 5(1): 28–34p.