In Vitro Clonal Propagation of Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni Through Node and Shoot Tip Culture
A reliable rapid large scale micropropagation method has been established from the node and shoots tip explant of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni. Experiments were conducted to standardize the culture media with plant hormone for multiple shoot proliferation and rooting for obtaining plantlets with uniform characteristics like mother plant in terms of growth and habits. Different concentrations and combinations of auxins (IAA) and cytokinins (BAP, Kin) were used in MS for the above purpose. Maximum shoot regeneration was found in MS treated with 2.0 mg/l BAP both in node and shoot tip explants. In the above combination, nodal explants produced 14 16 initial shoots. Shoot tip explants produced 10 12 shoots. For in vitro rooting, different concentrations of IBA and NAA were used. Higher rooting percentage was recorded on MS fortified with 0.5 mg/l IBA. The rooted plantlets were hardened and successfully established in the soil. About 85% of the regenerated plantlets survived in the natural condition.