DEVELOPMENT OF TISSUE CULTURE PROTOCOL FOR MASS PRODUCTION OF STEVIAREBAUDIANA (BERTONI) BERTONI

Stevia rebaundiana is containing sweet phytochemicals and is a zero-caloric natural alternative to artificial sweeteners. The direct organogenesis of S. rebaundiana was carried out using apical bud explant in vitro . The Murashige and Skoog medium was used and the culture was set up under optimized conditions of 24±2°C temperature, and 16 hours of light exposure with cool, white fluorescent light. The seven different concentrations of benzylaminopurine (BAP) and IAA (Indole-3-acetic acid) (0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06 and 0.07mg/L) were employed for shoot development and root development respectively. The results revealed that of all the tested concentrations of BAP used for shoot development, 0.07mg/L proved to be best for shoot initiation after 6 days of culture. On the other hand, the suitable concentration of IAA at which root initiation was observed after 7 days of subculture, was 0.06mg/L. The study can be beneficial for the researchers, food industry and growers for commercial production of the S.rebaudiana nursery.