Esra Ucar

Effect of Different Nitrogen Doses on Dry Matter Ratio, Chlorophyll and Macro/Micro Nutrient Content in Sweet Herb (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni)

ABSTRACT With this study, the effect of different nitrogen (N) doses applied to sweet herb (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 N kg ha−1) on the macro/micro nutrient element content, dry matter ratio and on the chlorophyll amount in the plant leaves is examined. The research was carried out in the research and trial field of Faculty of Agriculture Agronomy department, Akdeniz University, during the 2012–2013 growing season under field conditions for 2 years with four replications according to the randomized block trial design. Chlorophyll amounts were determined and the average was obtained with three readings from each leaf by a chlorophyll meter when the plants were in the beginning of flowering. Post-harvest macro and micro nutrient elements of the sweet herb were also investigated. According to the obtained data, while the highest chlorophyll and N amounts in the leaf for both the first and second years were determined as 46.97 SPAD (Minolta Corp, NJ, USA) and 1.34 N% 44.9 SPAD, 1.42 N%, respectively, under 200 kg ha−1 N application, the lowest chlorophyll and N amounts were determined in the control group. In addition, N application in different doses for both years increased the phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) contents and increased the microelement contents, especially in the second year. At the same time, a correlation between the chlorophyll content in the plant leaves and the N amount was determined and a linear increase was observed in the chlorophyll amount with the increased green part.

The effect of different nitrogen levels on yield and quality of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana bert.)

ABSTRACT In the present work, the efficiency of different nitrogen doses (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha−1) on growth, yield, and quality of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bert.) was investigated in 2011–2013. The study was conducted in Antalya located in the Mediterranean Region of Turkey. Terra rossa type soil (LVx, FAO) characteristics of the experimental field were clay loam, with high amounts of lime (33,9%) and slightly alkaline (pH 7.7). The experiment was carried out in randomized block design with four replications. All the results were summarized as mean of three years. The highest fresh and dry biomass yields (26.75 t ha−1 and 7.5 ha−1, respectively) were obtained from 150 kg ha−1 N dose and followed by 100 kg ha−1 N dose (26.29 t ha−1 and 7.24 ha−1, respectively). Whereas the highest fresh and dry leaf yields (13.27 t ha−1 and 3.82 t ha−1, respectively) were realized in 100 kg ha−1 N dose. Actually, all nitrogen doses gave higher biomass and leaf yields compared to the control. On the hand, major steviol glycosides (stevioside and rebaudioside A) in the leaf were not influenced by nitrogen levels. In conclusion, 100 kg ha−1 N dose was found to be suitable for cultivation of stevia under field conditions.

The Effect of the Plant Age and Growth Period on the Nutritional Substance, Chlorophyll and Steviol Glycoside Rates in Stevia (Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni) Leaves

ABSTRACT Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) is a perennial and subshrub herb of the Asteraceae family, which originates from South America. Stevia has long been used as a sweetener and herbal medicine throughout the world. The most important feature of stevia is its sweetness with zero calories. This natural feature of Stevia is of utmost importance to everyone, especially those with diabetes and those who diet. In this study, samples were taken from Stevia rebaudiana plants of different ages (2, 3 and 4 years) in different growth periods (H1: 1 July, H2: 1 August, H3: 1 September and H4: 1 October) and an evaluation was made on the nutritional content values, the chlorophyll and sugar rates found in these samples according to the age and growth period of the plant. It was determined that the age of the plant and the harvesting period had an effect on the macro-micro nutritional elements, and chlorophyll and steviol glycoside rates contained in the stevia plant. In addition, as a result of correlation analysis, significant correlations were determined between the parameters measured in the plant. The results of the study demonstrated that in the cultivation of stevia, the best values were obtained from plants that were 3 years old and harvested in July.