The Effects of Giving 2,4 Dichlorophenoxyacetate and Benziladenin on Explant Growth of Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni)

Abstract

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni. is a perennial shrub of the family Asteraceae from Paraguay. Stevia produces a diterpene glycoside called steviol glycosides. Glycosides from stevia are low-calorie sweeteners and have a low glycemic index so it does not affect blood sugar levels. Increasing contents of steviol glycosides can be done by tissue culture methods. The addition of plant growth regulator as 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetate (2,4-D) and Benziladenine (BA) in MS medium agar is expected to increase the growth of stevia shoot explants. Treatments of the research are combination of 2,4-D with a concentration of 2 and 3 mg. L-1 and Benziladenine at a concentration of 1; 1.5, 2, and 3 mg. L-1. Growth regulators are given to explants with inductions time of 21 days. Results of the research showed that combinations of 2,4-D 2 mg.L-1 and BA 1 mg.L-1 can get the highest number of grown explants at 88%. The shoots produced from treatment with combinations of 2,4-D 2 mg. L-1 and BA 3 mg. L-1 are 2,04 shoots per explant.