Stevia

(Stevia rebaudiana)
Compositae

Introduction
Stevia is a subtropical plant that requires warm temperatures with minimal frost, adequate
rainfall, and lots of sunshine. The Stevia plant genus includes over 100 species and is cultivated
throughout the world. Known scientifically as Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni, stevia is a member of
the sunflower (Asteraceae) family of plants and is mainly grown in Paraguay, Kenya, China and
the United States. As increasing volumes of stevia are in demand by consumers, the stevia plant
is also now grown in Vietnam, Brazil, India, Argentina and Colombia among other countries.

Economic part – leaves

Major constituents- Stevioside (3-10 %), Rebaudiside-A (13 %), Rebaudiside-B and C

Uses - Calorie free sweetner, sugar substitute for diabetic patients

Climate
Annual average temperature of 31o C with a rainfall of 140 cm per year has been found optimum
for its good growth. The day temperatures should not exceed 48oC and the night temperatures
should not fall below 4oC.

Soil type
Stevia requires very good drainage, any soils that retain the moisture for very long period of time
are unsuitable for Stevia cultivation that should be religiously avoided. Similarly black cotton
soils with very heavy clay content should also be avoided. The plant prefers a lightly textured
and well-drained soil to which organic matter has been added. Red soil and sandy loam with a
pH of 6 to 7 are best for the cultivation of Stevia. Saline soils having a pH value of more than 8
are unsuitable that should not be selected to cultivate this plant.

Nursery and rooted cuttings

Propagation
Stevia is usually propagated by stem cuttings, which root easily. Sweetness in leaves varies with
varieties. Therefore, cutting should be obtained from a source, which is high in stevioside and
low in associated bitterness during propagation and mother plant selection of Stevia. Therefore,
top cutting position with 3 nodes could be recommended for the development of quality Stevia
seedlings using stem cuttings under good nursery management. Seedlings can be ready for
transplanting after 2 months of nursery raising.

Land preparation

The land sites are plowed twice to prepare a fairly smooth and firm-planting surface. Around 50
MT of FYM/ha has to be applied as a basal dressing during the last ploughing to incorporate the
manure with the soil. With proper drainage and irrigation channels the field needs to be divided
into plots of convenient size for effective management.
Specialty fertilizer:

Soil application

DNP-G
Special features:
 DNP is a unique specialist fertilizer consisting of Organic carbon, Organic Booster like
amino acids, Nitrogen fixing bacteria, Phosphorous solubilizing
bacteria and plant disease controlling fungi Trichoderma viride and also
trace amounts of essential minerals.
Dosage and application
 2-3 bags as basal dose/acre.
 2 bags as top dressing/acre.

Raised bed preparation

Forming raised beds is the most economical way to grow Stevia. The raised bed should be of 15
cm in height. The distance between two rows should be between 40 and 60 cm and that between
each plant should be 20 and 25 cm. This would give a plant population of around 70,000-
100,000 per hectare.
Planting
Rooted cuttings are planted at a spacing of 45X45 cm, with a total plant density in the order of
30,000 plants per ha.

Field view

Planting season
February – march

Manuring

27.5:112.5:112.5 kg NPK/ha is recommended for higher yields. The actual rate of fertilizer
application will vary according to soil type and production environment and need to be
optimized for each specific situation. Study on nutrient uptake revealed that at the point of
maximum dry matter accumulation, Stevia plants consists of 1.4 % N, 0.3% P and 2.4 % K.

Under average condition application of FYM at a rate of 50 t ha-1 and fertilizers N-60 kg, P2O5
30 kg and K2O 45. kg ha-1 is recommended. N is applied in three splits once at basal and
remaining two applications after first and second cutting. Sometimes stevia shows the symptoms
of boron deficiency, which leads to leaf spot and that, can be rectified by spraying Borax 6 %.

BIO NPK:
Special features:
Improves crop yield by 20 to 25%.
􀁊 Can reduce chemical fertilizer use by 20%.
􀁊 Improves soil fertility by increasing the number of useful microbes in rhizosphere.
􀁊 Helps in building immunity in plant against disease and pest by secreting antagonistic
compounds.
􀁊 Helps to fix atmospheric Nitrogen continuously to the extent of 50 kg per hectare.
􀁊 Solubilizes insoluble Phosphates in rhizosphere which helps for crop growth and
development.
􀁊 Mobilises Potash from soil and makes it available to the plant throughout its growt stage.

Dosage and application:

Field crops (Short duration crops): Apply 10 to 20 kg per acre.
􀁊 Annual/Perennial crops: 50-100 gms/plant of <5 yrs age and 100 -150 gms plant of > 5 yrs
age.

PH-50
Special features:
 Improves nutrient uptake and important part of INM
 Provides carbon source for soil microorganisms to multiply
 Promotes vegetative growth and stimulates new root growth
 Promotes flowering and root setting
 Higher yield and better quality of the produce
Dosage and application: 25kg/acre

Irrigation

Normally, the plant requires frequent, shallow irrigation. Under the conditions of limited rain
fall, application of supplementary irrigation is required at least once in a week when the tip
leaves starts to droop. Stevia requires ample supply of good water all year around. The plant
cannot tolerate drought because of this frequent irrigation is required. Micro sprinklers are the
best method of irrigation that would not supply the required amount of water at the right time. So
through micro sprinklers, the water can be sprinkled once in a day in wet seasons and two to four
times in a day in dry seasons depending upon the heat and relative humidity in the air. Watering
frequency should be scheduled so that the plants do no wilt for want of water.

Weed control

Regular weeding must be done after every 2 months in stevia cultivation. The crop also requires
hoeing and weeding for the control of weeds, removal of weeds should be done manually. Since
the crop is grown in raised beds, intercultural operations are easier by manual labour. First
weeding and hoeing should be done 15 days of transplanting and subsequent weeding and hoeing
will be done one month after the first weeding and hoeing. Hoeing is also required immediately
after harvest.

Weed management

Pinching

It is a practice done to encourage new and bushy growth, produce compact dense foliage and
promote healthy growth. Pinching also helps to prevent breakage of stems during high winds. It
is done by cutting the growing tips of stevia plants every two to three weeks for the first one
month. During pinching, the buds and one pair of leaves are removed by nipping or using sharp
and clean cutters.

Harvesting
It can be harvested when plants are 40-60 centimeters in height. Shorter days induce flowering.
Optimum yield (biomass) and stevioside quality and quantity is best just prior to flowering.

Yield
An estimated 3-3.5t/ha dry green leaves are obtained from three-four cutting of every year. It is
cultivated up to 5 years after a one time plantation.

Drying

Immediately after harvest the herb is dried. This can be accomplished on a screen or net. The
freshly harvested plants can be hung upside down and dried in shade. It can also be dried using
simple drying racks inside transparent poly house or transparent glass roofing or by passing dry
air just above room temperature.

Drying of the stem and soft green leaf material is completed immediately after harvesting
utilizing a drying wagon or a kiln or done naturally in case of large-scale production. Depending
on weather conditions and density of loading, it generally takes 24 to 48 hours to dry stevia at
400 to 500C. The drying process does not require excessive heat; more important is good air
circulation. Longer drying time will lower the stevioside content of the final product. A home
dehydrator can also be used, although sun drying is the preferred method. In any of the drying
conditions, the moisture content of the dried powder should be maintained not more than
12%.After adequate drying, the leaves are stripped of the stems/twigs and packed and stored in
cool, dry place.

Threshing
Immediately following drying, threshing is necessary to separate dry Stevia leaves from its stem.
In most of the cases, proportion of stem and leaf is the same after threshing. To separate
impurities and other impurities, the powdered stevia leaves should be sieved with 2- 3mm sized
sieves

Packaging

Dry leaves are stored in plastic lined cardboard boxes, sealed, strapped and labeled for further
processing. After powdering it is to be packed and leveled properly.
Cost of bio-fertilizer
Cost of bio-fertilizer
Item Kg/acre Cost in Rs.
DNP-G 40kg 695
DNP 50kg 795
PH-50 10kg 695
Bio-NPK 1kg 70
Bio-Max 1lit 695