Callus induction and regeneration of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni

Abstract: Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is an important non-caloric sweetening herb.It has some kind of diterpenoidsteviol glycosides that had no negative effect on blood sugar level.In the present study, efficient plant regeneration via callus was established. Explants were cultured on MS supplemented with different concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) alone and the combination with 1.0 mg/L BA were used to initiate callus. Maximum frequency of callus induction (89%)were observed on MS supplemented with 2.0 mg/L2,4-D.Multiple shoots were obtained on MS medium containing 0.5 mg/L BA and 1.0 mg/LNAA from friable, granule and healthy calli which obtained after 45 days.Regeneration percentage, number of shootlets/ callus part, length of shootlets, number of nodes and number ofleaveswere 86 %, 13.2, 4.36 cm, 4.0 and 8.0, respectively