Stevia

Production technology
Topic: Production technology of Stevia
 
 
Course: Medicinal and aromatic plants
 
 
Submitted to: Dr. Khalil
 
 
 
Submitted by: Muhammad Noman Iftikhar
 
 
 
Roll No. SP19C1BD040
 
 
 
Semester: 8th
 Botanical Classification
 Scientific Name: Stevia rebaudiana
 Family: Asteraceae
 Kingdom: Plantae
Introduction
ORIGIN: Stevia is a plant native to South America that has been used as a sweetener
for hundreds of years.

Currently, the world's main stevia producer is China, but Paraguay is in second place.
It was "discovered" by Spanish Conquistadors in South America in the sixteenth
century. They learned about stevia from the local Guarani and Mato Grosso Indians
who used stevia leaves to sweeten their medicines and teas. They called the plant
CAA-HEE (Honey Leaf).

Botany: Stevia is a tender perennial herb that reaches 30.5–80 cm (1–2.5 feet) in

height. The oblong aromatic leaves are 2.5 cm (1 inch) long with a prominent midrib
and are arranged oppositely along the stems. The small tubular flowers have five
white petals and are borne in terminal clusters; the flowers are usually removed to
improve the flavour of the leaves.
Soil:

Stevia requires soils which have good drainage properties. Soils which have moisture
content for long time are not suitable and black cotton soils with very heavy clay content
should also be avoided. Red soil and sandy loam with pH of 6-7 are best for stevia
cultivation. Saline soils with pH more than 8 are unsuitable for stevia.

Temperature:

 Annualaverage 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.

VARIETIES:

Stevia doesn’t have lots of different varieties, like some plants.

The following are the varieties:

 Candy Stevia,  Sugar Leaf Stevia Stevia Sweet Leaf.

Preparation of Root slips
Land Preparation
Loamy soils are more suitable for stevia cultivation. The land should be ploughed initially
2-3 times with harrowed or disc plough to break the clods with 2 plankings to fine the soil.
Farm Yard Manure
During the land preparation pour the 8-10 tralies of rotten farm yard manure 2-3 months
before the sowing. If rotten farm yard manure is not available then use the green
manuring.
Sowing Method
Crop is grown on raised beds because intercultural operations are easily handled by
manual labor. Raised bed should be of 15cm in height.
Nursery Transplantation
After 15 days put out the plants from plastic envelops/sheet and put them under shade for
10-15 days to increase their environmental resistance. We should completely prepare the
soil before transplanting.
Make ridges by thoroughly mixing the manure, DAP and potash. Maintain plant to plant
distance 30cm and row to row distance 45cm. Light irrigation done after transplantation.
Irrigation:
According to weather and soil conditions 1-2 light irrigation’s should be done
in a week. It is necessary to apply light irrigation during summer season
because more water can cause muggy (Suffocation) at evening. Due to this
lower leaves of plants become yellow and the attack of fungus diseases
becomes more.

Fertilizer:
Use 2 bags of urea, 1 bag DAP and 1bag potassium sulfate per acre for good
production.

Weeding:
Stevia requires hoeing and weeding. Manually removal of weeds are more
preferable because its leaves use directly or indirectly for eating purpose. First
weeding or hoeing done after 15 days and subsequent hoeing and weeding
will be done one month after the first weeding and hoeing. Hoeing is also
required immediately after harvesting.
Pinching
It is done by cutting the growing tips of stevia plants every 2-3 weeks for the first
month. This practice is done to encourage new and bushy growth, produce
dense foliage and promote healthy growth. During pinching the buds and one
pairs of leaves are removed by clean and sharp cutters. It helps to prevent
breakage of stems during high winds.
Harvesting
First harvesting after 4 months and subsequent after every 3 months OR harvest
the leaves before flowering because sweetness is more in leaves before
flowering. If we want to separate leaves after harvesting then harvest it 2-3
inches from soil surface. In this ways the plant can grow their new branches
again.
Threshing
Threshing is necessary to separate dry stevia leaves from its stem. To separate
impurities the powdered stevia leaves should be sieved with 2-3cm sized sieves.
Avoid the mixing of stevia leaves with other crop or weed leaves this may
deteriorate the quality of stevia leaves.
Method of Dry
Immediately after harvest the herb is dried. Put the leaves in shade for dry after
thoroughly wash. It can also be dried using simple drying racks inside
transparent poly house or by passing dry air just above room temperature.
Yield
From 2 cuttings 40-45 mounds of dry leaves per acre can be obtain.
Packaging
Dry leaves are stored in plastic lined cardboard boxes, sealed, strapped and
labeled for further processing.
Method of Use
Dry leaves may be use such as dry leaves or in powder form. Stevia leaves
powder of 250mg is sufficient to sweet one cup of tea. So, by this 4 cups of tea
can be make from 1 gram of leaves powder. Quantity of leaves may be add in
every meal according to taste.
Types of stevia products
1.Fresh stevia leaves
2.Dried stevia leaves
3.Stevia extracts
4.Liquid concentrates
Medicinal Importance
•Regulates blood pressure
•Control blood sugar and Insulin levels
•Due to zero calories it is control diabetes
•Weight loss
•Prevents cancer
•Lowers cholesterol level
•Use as additive for toothpaste because it reduce bacterial formation
•Useful for skin care
•Prevents osteoporosis
•Anti-diarrheal, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hypertensive, anti-
inflammatory etc.
•Use in mouth wash
•Strong blood vessels
•It’s extract is useful for dandruff.
References
1.Zaratnama of 1 march 2019
2.Stevia Production Guideline
3.http://agriinfo.in/default.aspx?page=topic&superid=2&topicid=1428
Thank you