Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) as a Multifunctional and Sustainable Crop for the Mediterranean Climate

Abstract

Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) is a promising medicinal and aromatic plant for Mediterranean agroecosystems given its positive agronomic attributes and interesting quality features. It has both food and pharmaceutical applications, since its leaves contain sweet-tasting steviol glycosides (SVglys) and bioactive compounds, such as phenolics, flavonoids, and vitamins. We evaluated the agronomic and qualitative performances of nine stevia genotypes cultivated, in open field conditions, for two consecutive years under the Mediterranean climate of central Italy. Growth, biomass production, and accumulation of bioactive compounds (SVglys, polyphenols, and their related antioxidant activities) were evaluated, considering the effect of harvest time and crop age (first and second year of cultivation). The results showed high variability among genotypes in terms of both morpho-productive and phytochemical characteristics. In general, greater leaf dry yields, polyphenol accumulation, and antioxidant activities were found in the second year of cultivation, harvesting the plants in full vegetative growth. On the other hand, total SVglys leaf content reached the highest values in the first year when plants were at the beginning of the reproductive phase. On the other hand, although the SVglys profile (Rubusoside, Dulcoside A, Stevioside, Rebaudioside A, C, D, E, and M) remained stable over harvest times, it differed significantly depending on the crop age and genotype. Our findings provide useful information on the influence of crop age and harvest time in defining quanti-qualitative traits in stevia, with PL, SL, BR5, and SW30 being the best performing genotypes and thus suitable for breeding programs. Our study highlighted that stevia, in the tested environment, represents a promising semi-perennial crop which offers new solutions in terms of cropping system diversification and marketing opportunities.

LC–MS metabolomics analysis of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves cultivated in Malaysia in relation to different developmental stages

“…Although the changes in the contents of stevioside and rebaudioside A through the different developmental stages were not as drastic as the other steviol glycosides, results obtained from the relative quantification indicated that their contents decrease when the plants entered the flowering stage. The findings from the present study are in agreement with previous reports which stated that the optimal harvesting time for stevia is at the vegetative stage or just before flowering (during the flower bud formation stage), due to the maximum accumulation of steviol glycosides, especially stevioside, rebaudioside A, and rebaudioside C 6,7,40,41 . Considering the fact that the levels of steviol glycosides and also flavonoids are high during the late vegetative stage, i.e., right before budding and during budding, it is reasonable to suggest that these stages are the optimal harvesting times for the local stevia cultivar.…”

“…The decrease in the content of steviol glycosides could be attributed due to the maximum accumulation of steviol glycosides, especially stevioside, rebaudioside A, and rebaudioside C. 6,7,40,41 Considering the fact that the levels of steviol glycosides and also flavonoids are high during the late vegetative stage, i.e., right before budding and during budding, it is reasonable to suggest that these stages are the optimal harvesting times for the local stevia cultivar.…”

Characterisation of LTR-Retrotransposons of Stevia rebaudiana and Their Use for the Analysis of Genetic Variability

“…Stevia breeding aims to produce higher-performing and yielding genotypes [ 28 , 29 ], selecting genotypes capable of adapting to different environmental conditions and characterised by both high levels of secondary metabolites and biomass yield. Therefore, evaluating the genetic variability among different accessions is important for carrying out breeding programmes [ 30 , 31 ].…”

Physiological and Biochemical Effects of Drought Stress in Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni)

“…Stevia cinsi dünyanın farklı yerlerinde kültürü yapılan sağlık ve gıda sektörü açısından önemli bir endüstri bitkisidir [1]. Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni Asteraceae (Compositae) familyasına ait çok yıllık, otsu, çalı formunda önemli bir tıbbi ve aromatik bitki türüdür [2][3][4]. Yaprak içeriğindeki steviol glikozitler ile karakterize edilen bitki, tatlı yaprak, tatlı ot ve bal yaprak olarak da bilinmektedir [5][6][7].…”