Investigating in-Vitro and in-Situ Rooting of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni for Intercropping.

Stevia is an herbaceous perennial plant of genus stevia which is photoperiod-sensitive, insect-pollinated, self-incompatible bushy shrub. Leaves of stevia produce diterpene glycosides (stevioside and rebaudiosides), non-nutritive, non-toxic, high-potency sweeteners with no caloric value. Stevia has been gaining popularity among all types of sweetener users for its synthesized product. Stevioside is most ideal substitute of sugar which is 100 to 300 times sweeter than table sugar. It is clinically tested and frequently used by humans without any negative effect. The objective of this study is to investigate in-vitro and in-situ rooting of stevia by using different approaches. Since seed germination rate is very low in Stevia this makes studies on other propagation methods inevitable. In-vitro rooting of stevia has been done on MS basal media using IAA, NAA & IBA at different concentrations. Stem cuttings were planted in the poly pots for rooting and time requirement in comparison to in-vitro culture. Stem cuttings were also suspended in liquid nutrient medium for rooting. Our study shows highest rooting was found in MS+0.1Mg/L IAA (91.6%) followed by MS+0.1Mg/L IBA (83.3%). In soil poly pots 52.13% of cuttings showed rooting. In liquid medium 96% of the cuttings showed root formation. The cuttings and in vitro rooted plants are transplanted to intercropping beds for their survival rate and growth performance.