Utilization of liquid medium for rapid micropropagation of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni

Liquid shoot culture of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni in MS medium containing BAP (1.5 mg/l) and IAA (0.5 mg/l) was developed and evaluated in relation to shoot multiplication, on average 37 new shoots per explants were obtained within 3 week. Shoot lets were regenerated from nodal explants of stevia through axillary shoot proliferation. For rooting different concentrations of IAA, IBA and NAA were used and highest rooting percentage (63%) was recorded on MS medium with IAA (1.0 mg/l). The rooted plantlets were hardened and successfully established.