R. Narendrasing Chavan, Suhad Mahadi1, Ashok, T.H., Shashidhar, H.E. and Vasundhara, M.
Abstract
Polyploidy was induced in Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, (2n=22) by using different concentrations of colchicines (0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1.0%, 1.50%, and 2.5%). Morphological measurements like plant height, leaf length, leaf width, leaf thickness, stomatal number per unit area and number of inflorescences per plant were recorded. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the plants. Ploidy level was identified by Flow cytometry analysis. The test of the stevioside content in the leaves showed that the percentage was (two and half times) higher in the tetraploid plants compared to control.