In Vitro Propagation of Sweet Herb; Stevia

An efficient plant regeneration protocol has been developed from leaf explants of Stevia rebaudiana, an economically and medicinally important herbaceous plant species belonging to the family Asteraceae. Plant regeneration and multiple shoot proliferation was initiated from leaf explants cultured on MS medium supplemented with various concentrations of 6-benzyladenine (BA) and kinetin (KN) in combination with Auxins (IAA and 24,D). The maximum percentage (81.3%) response with average number of shoots (9.32±0.14), was achieved with medium containing 2 mg/l KN+0.5mg/l IAA. Shoot culture was established by repeated subculturing of newly formed shoots. Rooting of shoots was achieved on half-strength MS medium. Well-developed plantlets transferred to plastic pots containing soil and cocopeat (1:1) showed 80% survival. This protocol can be used for commercial propagation and for future genetic improvement studies.