Genetic Variability for Morphological Characters and Glycosides in Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni)

Morphological and stevioside parameters in three diverse genotypes (GVS-6, HPSR and MPSR) of Stevia rebaudiana were studied under hot and semi- humid climatic conditions of Nagpur, for three years (2008–2010). The cultivar GVS-6 was identified as most promising for high stevioside content and biomass yield. The variations in morphological parameters of stevia cultivars were significant. Pooled results revealed that cultivar GVS-6 has optimum plant height (36.4 cm) with highest branches (14 number) and leaves (199.9 number), higher total dry biomass yield per plant (126.0 g) and stevioside (49.8%). High biomass production and stevioside content in a variety of stevia is very important for economic valuation in agriculture and medicinal aspects.