Cell Dedifferentiation in Stevia Rebauiana as a Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Plant

Abstract

Stevia is a natural and non-caloric sweetener which most used in food and drug industries. In the present study, we focused on optimization of cell dedifferentiation and callus induction in stevia. In order to evaluation of growth regulators and explant types effects on callus induction, a factorial experiment was carried out in two factors and based on completely randomized design in four replications. The factor A included different levels of benzene adenin in three levels (0.0, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/l), Naphthalene acetic acid in four levels (0.0, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/l), 2-4-D in three levels (0, 1 and 2 mg/l). The factor B comprised two levels of explant (leaf and stem) that were evaluated. The experiment was performed on Tissue Culture Lab in Kermanshah Industrial University. Analysis of variance for data results showed that there were significant differences among levels of plant explants for callus induction (P