Vegetative propagation assays of Stevia rebaudiana Bert.

SAMPIETRO, D.A.; SAMPIETRO, A.R.

Belo Horizonte (Brasil)

Congreso; 2nd International Conference on Biodiversity (2nd IUPAC); 1999

International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry

Stevia rebaudiana Bert. is a semiperennial shrub that belongs to the compositae family. This plant contains a sweetener called stavioside that is 100 to 400 times more sweet than sucrose. Sexual propagation involve population variability. Massive propagation techniques must be applied to selected genotypes. The purpose of this work is to study the effect of some ambiental factors that influence the vegetative propagation of the species. Apical buds from selected clones were used. After buds were treated with napthalene acetic acid (34 mg/l), they were planted in plastic trays filled with vermiculite-earthworm humus (1:1) or peat-earworm humus (1:1). After five weeks at a temperature between 20 and 25ºC the percent of rooting, the length and weigth of roots, the aerial part and the leaf stevioside content were determined. An experimental design of hazard blocks and a variance analysis were made. The peat-earthworm humus substrate gave the best results respective to vegetative propagation. Good results were obtained with the rooting of apical shoots. The naphtalene acetic acid increased the rooting percent. The original different clone showed differences respect to the stevioside content. The selection of genotypes are suggested to increase the stevioside production.