Micropropagation of Stevia rebaudiana plants

The aim of the study was to develop optimum composition of plant growth regulators in media for the propagation and rooting of shoots of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) in in vitro cultures. Single-node shoot fragments obtained from plants propagated on MS medium were placed onto media supplemented with: BAP, 2iP and KIN at concentrations: 0.5, 1, 2 and 5 mg.dm(-3), whereas at the rooting stage with addition of: IAA, IBA and NAA at concentrations 1, 2, 4 and 8 mg.dm(-3). The highest number of shoots and leaves was reported for plants propagated on MS medium enriched with 0.5 mg.dm(-3) BAP. The greatest number of the longest roots was developed by stevia on the MS medium enriched with 1 mg.dm(-3) IAA.