Observation on local high-yielding stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni L.) clone specific to Bandung District, West Java

Abstract

The use of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni L.) as a natural sweetener shows great potential. However, in Indonesia, the lack of superior and highly productive varieties has been a major challenge in its development. Nukita Co-op has developed a promising stevia clone which we evaluated in this study for its readiness to be proposed as a new and improved variety. Our research was conducted in August 2023 through primary and secondary data collection. Primary data comprised the clone development process and morphological variations observed in farmers’ fields, while secondary data included crop productivity and types of stevia-based products made. Our findings revealed that the CM3 clone, derived from a Vietnamese variety, has been cultivated by farmers in Bandung district since 2010. It has high yields (up to 7-ton dry leaves/ha/year) and is marketed as simplisia (unprocessed ingredients) and various tea variants. However, we noted high morphological variations in farmers’ fields. Therefore, stevia clone CM3 is not ready for direct release. With breeding efforts, this clone could be improved through the selection process and released as a high-yielding variety to support stevia’s development as an alternative sweetener.