Genotypic response of Stevia rebaudiana accessions to in vitro clonal propagation using nodal explants

Abstract

Genotypic response to in vitro clonal propagation was studied in 21 accessions of Stevia rebaudiana. Data were recorded with respect to per cent proliferation, root induction and survival during hardening process and Chi-square test for goodness of fit was used to determine the variations regarding response to different nutrient media used for in vitro clonal propagation. Nodal explants of Stevia rebaudiana can regenerate shoots when cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP; 1 mg/l) and kinetin (Kn; 0.5 mg/l). Rooting of in vitro shoots was achieved by adding indole butyric acid (IBA; 0.2mg/l) on half strength MS medium. The accessions C1-4-2,E2-1-6, C1-4-3, E1-2-3 and C1-4-3 of stevia were identified as responsive genotypes to in vitro clonal propagation and have potential use in clonal breeding programmes.