Abstract:
Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is a medicinal herb belonging to the family of
Asteraceae. It is a natural sweetener plant, which is estimated to be 300 times
sweeter than cane sugar. In this study, reliable protocol was developed for direct
organogenesis of S. rebaudiana using in vitro derived nodal explants. Seeds were
collected from mother plants and they were surface sterilized. To optimize the
surface sterilization procedure, dark color (fertile seeds) seeds were surface
sterilized using different concentrations and in different exposure time of
carbendazim and sodium hypochlorite (Clorox). Out of different combinations
0.2% carbendazim for 5 minutes, 10% sodium hypochlorite for 10 minutes and
70% ethanol each followed by two successive washings in sterile distilled water
was found to be the best for surface sterilization. Two sets of seeds (fresh, stored)
were cultured on MS basal medium supplemented with different concentrations of
GA3 for seed germination. According to the results seed viability was lost with
time and it affected seed germination. Seed germination was not affected by GA3,
but seedling height was affected by it. Seeds germinated on MS mediumsupplemented with 3.0 mg/L GA3 showed the highest seedling height after 10
days. MS basal medium supplemented with different concentrations of BAP and
Kin were tested for shoot bud and multiple shoot induction. Out of different media
Ms basal medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L BAP was found to be the best
medium for shoot bud and multiple shoot induction within 60 days
