Influence of pinching and growth regulators on yield and stevioside content in stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni)

Abstract

A field trail was conducted to investigate the effect of pinching and growth regulators on yield and stevioside content instevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) in the Department of Horticulture, GKVK, Bangalore during the year 2019-2020. The two main plot treatments (with and without pinching) and three growth regulators (Benzyl adenine, Maleic hydrazide and Mepiquat chloride) each at 250 and 500 ppm were replicated thrice under split plot design. Pinching followed by spraying of Malic hydrazide (MH) at 500 ppm recorded maximum fresh (85.60 g) and dry (42.56 g) herbage yield per plant. Maleic hydrazide at 500 ppm recoded maximum stevioside content (5.35%).The study concluded that combined treatment of pinching and growth regulators significantly improved the yield and quality in stevia as compared to its alone applications.