Morphological and cytological characterization of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana)

This research was conducted in order to determine and compare them with each other the morphological and cytological characteristics of Stevia rebaundiana plants obtained from different locations of Turkey (İzmir/Bayındır, Balıkesir/Burhaniye, Bursa/Gürsu, Samsun/Bafra, İzmir/Kuşadası) according to the design of randomized blocks with 3 replicates at Ege University Faculty of Agriculture Field Crops, in 2016. According to the results obtained from the research; the longest plant height (66,3 cm) was measured the plants brought from Balikesir/Burhaniye and Bursa/Gürsu locations. The largest stem diameter (10,1 mm) was established in the Bursa/Gürsu location. The largest leaf size and width (7,8/4 cm) were obtained from the Bursa/Gürsu location. The maximum number of branches (32) was found from Balikesir/Burhaniye location. While the maximum number of leaves (41) was observed in the plants brought from the Bursa/Gürsu location, the maximum fresh herb (1062 kg/da) and dry herb yield (331 kg/da) were obtained from the plants from Balikesir/Burhaniye location. The maximum dry leaf yield (201 kg/da) was also observed in the Balikesir / Burhaniye location. The leaf/stalk ratio was determined at maximum (2.09) from Bursa/Gürsu location. The maximum content of krolofil (SPAD value) (52) was obtained from Samsun/Bafra location. As a result, it was determined that the highest yield of herb was obtained from Stevia plants obtained in Bornova ecological conditions from Balikesir/Burhaniye location. Since there were no significant differences in the cytological characteristics examined, it is thought that the sugar herb plants, which investigated, are same origins.