- International Journal of Agriculture Forestry and Life Sciences
- Vol: 3 Issue: 1
- GIBBERELLIN APPLICATION INFLUENCES ON EX VITRO GROWTH, FLOWERING AND STEVIOL GLYCOSIDE ACCUMULATION ...
GIBBERELLIN APPLICATION INFLUENCES ON EX VITRO GROWTH, FLOWERING AND STEVIOL GLYCOSIDE ACCUMULATION OF STEVIA REBAUDIANA BERTONI
Authors : Catherine ARRADAZA, Ma. Lourdes O. CEDO, Rocelie R. ZARA, Rachel Ann GONZAGA
Pages : 75-83
View : 8 | Download : 3
Publication Date : 2019-06-18
Article Type : Research
Abstract :Stevia ( Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) is a small perennial herb with incredible sweetening property. Stevia is known to contain steviol glycosides (SGs), which are about 300 times sweeter than sucrose at their concentration of 4% (w/v). However, the growth of s tevia plants and their SGs production are known to be influenced by external and internal factors. In this study, an ex-vitro experiment was conducted to determine the effect of exogenous GA 3 application on the growth, flowering and steviol glycoside (stevioside and rebaudioside A) accumulation in stevia under Philippine condition. A p reviously established tissue culture-derived plant was used as mother plants and categorized into two groups: (1) non-flowering (NF) and (2) flowering (F). Stevia stem cuttings were sprayed with GA 3 solutions of various concentrations: 0, 50, 100 and 200 mg L -1 at 1-week interval for 5 weeks. NF plants sprayed with GA 3 showed significant difference in shoot length, number of shoot tips, length of longest primary branches compared to the control. NF plants produced more leaves than F at any GA level but without significant difference. Application of gibberellic acid (GA 3 ) neither delayed nor inhibits flowering of ex vitro stevia plant but significantly reduced the flowering intensity of the plant. Exogenously applied GA 3 also did not affect SG accumulation in the leaves and flowers.Keywords : Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, steviol glycosides, gibberellin, steviol glycosides