Improved Micropropagation Method for the Enhancement of Biomass in Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni

Abstract

Incorporation of a range of higher concentrations of CuSO₄^_5H₂O in MS medium significantly enhanced direct shoot bud induction and proliferation from cultured leaf and nodal explants taken from mature plants of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni. Shoot bud induction medium was supplemented with BAP (2.2 µM) and NAA (2.8 µM). When the concentration of CuSO₄^_5H₂O in the induction medium was raised to 0.5 µM (five times the MS level, i.e. 0.1 µM) there was significant increase in percentage response along with increase in shoot bud number per explant. The shoots were healthy, well developed with dark green broader leaves. There was remarkable increase in total biomass at increased (0.5 µM) copper level in the medium. During proliferation stage also presence of high copper levels in the medium favoured increase in shoots bud number per explant.