High frequency multiplication of shoots using axillary buds for production of elite lines of Stevia rebaudiana

An efficient repeatable protocol has been developed for rapid clonal multiplication of an endemic, perennial herb Stevia rebaudiana using juvenile axillary buds from in vivo grown seedlings. MS basal medium supplemented with BAP (8.88 μM) and NAA (5.37 μM) was found to be the most suitable medium for initiation of shoots with 92% response. The repeated subculture resulted in high-frequency shoot multiplication (9.82 ± 1.93) at the average rate of 3-fold per subculture. The axenic multiple shoots were rooted ex-vitro on horticultural grate soilrite mix-peat:perlite:vermiculate (1:1:1 v/v) with half strength MS salts fortified with NAA (5.37 μM). The complete plantlets were successfully established in soil with 86% survival frequency. The statistical analysis of the data pertaining to multiple shoots and root formation revealed significant difference between and within the treatments.