Development of in vitro propagation protocol for Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni)

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni an anti-diabetic medicinal herb is cultivated throughout the world for economic and medicinal values. However, conventional propagation methods are inefficient due to seed dormancy and slow growth rates. In this study, in vitro propagation protocol has been developed through indirect organogenesis for the production of healthy plantlets. Nodal and leaf explants were sterilized and cultured on MS medium containing various concentration and combination of Plant Growth Hormone (PGRs). Shoot induction was highest (100%) with Kinetin (0.5 mg L-1) while shoot proliferation (14.57 shoots/explant) was improved with Kinetin (1.0 mg L-1) + 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) (0.2 mg L-1). The highest rooting (100%) was observed in the MS medium supplemented with Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) at 0.2 mg L-1 and Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) at 0.5 mg L-1. Hardened plantlets were successfully acclimatized to the sand and showed the maximum survival rate (87.5%) with similar morphology to the mother plants. Therefore, this study offers a valuable alternative to overcome the limitations of conventional propagation methods contributing to the commercial production of Stevia rebaudiana in Bangladesh and similar agro-climatic regions. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 50(1): 13-22, March 2025