Effect of nitrogen on micropropagation of stevia rebaudiana (bertoni)

In the present study, the effect of nitrogen was investigated on the micro propagation of Stevia rebaudiana to overcome the challenges related to its cultivation. The in vitro shoots were cultured on MS medium fortified with BAP (5.0 mg/l) along with 2,4-D (0.1 mg/l). Four weeks old multiple shoots were transferred on modified MS medium containing inorganic nitrogen sources i.e NH4NO3 (14-56 N mg/l), KNO3 (100-400 N mg/l) with BAP (0.5-5.0 mg/l) were observed. Twelfth weeks cultures recorded maximum multiplication of shoots on MS medium with NH4NO3 (14 N mg/l), KNO3 (400 N mg/l) with BAP (5.0 mg/l). Moreover 90% of them were able to re-grow when sub-cultured on same media. Twelve weeks old cultures multiple shoots were transferred on MS medium with IAA (1.0 mg/l) for rooting find out to be best. Five percent cultures showed hairy root growth. Survival of 85% was achieved when rooted plantlets were acclimatized in 2 FYM: 1 Perlite: 1 Garden Soil.