Effect of nutrient solutions and different planting bed on some growth characteristics of stevia rebaudiana in inoculum conditions with mycorrhizal fungus

Abstract

Stevia is a perennial plant and is well-known for its high content of steviol glycoside in dryleaf matter that is responsible for providing the non-caloric value sweet taste. Stevia rebaudiana leaves contain diterpen glycosides, which are about 250 to 300 times more sweetened than sucrose, and their sweeteners are widely used today in the food and pharmaceutical industries. In order to study the effect of mycorrhiza fungi on some growth characteristics of the stevia herb in inoculum conditions with mycorrhizal fungus, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with four replications was conducted in greenhouse of Mohaghegh Ardabili University in 2016. The first factor was Imma & Angel and Novella nutrient solutions, the second factor was planting bed including leaf composts, vermicompost and biolan (peat & perlite) and third factor Inoculation with mycorrhiza and control fungi showed that the highest fresh and dry weight of leaves and number of number of leaves to the Imma & Angel nutrient solution in vermicompost planting bed under inoculation with mycorrhiza. The highest plant height was related to the Imma & Angel nutrient solution in leaf composts planting bed was observed under inoculum with mycorrhiza and the highest chlorophyll content was observed for Novella nutrient solution in vermicompost planting bed under inoculation conditions with mycorrhiza.