Improvement of rebaudioside A diterpene glycoside content in Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni using clone selection

Authors: BEGÜM KAPLAN, KENAN TURGUT

Abstract: This study, conducted in Antalya, Turkey, between 2014 and 2016, aimed to determine genotypes with a high amount of rebaudioside A (reb A) and high reb A/stevioside (stv) ratio in Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, and reveal superior candidate varieties via the clone selection method. The study started with 200 genotypes in the first year, followed by the stem cuttings of 40 genotypes selected in the second year, in accordance with the obtained data, which were grown in rows (A clones), and the 10 genotypes (B clones) selected from the clones in the third year, which were grown in 3 replications according to a completely randomized block design. In accordance with the criteria for the evaluation of the results, 4 plants with superior characteristics were selected (C clones). Genotype 82 was regarded as a candidate with superior characteristics in terms of the amount of reb A content (7.95%, 7.77%, and 6.37%, respectively) and reb A/stv ratio (1.48, 1.20, and 1.48) over the 3 years. Genotype 109 was noteworthy for stv alone. Genotype 133 was considered as not only high in reb A (8.47%, 6.81%, and 6.40%, respectively), but also as an industrial material suitable for processing and production, as the agronomic properties were above average during the study. Genotype 196 was determined to be high in terms of the amount of reb A + stv (18.31%, 12.54%, and 13.58, respectively) and reb A (7.57%, 6.46%, and 6.2%, respectively). Therefore, these were selected as clonal variety candidates.

Keywords: Breeding, clone selection, rebaudioside A, Stevia rebaudiana, stevioside

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