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Stevia Plant Farming Guide

The document provides information on farming the Stevia plant. It details the health benefits of Stevia, which include lowering blood sugar and blood pressure. It recommends two varieties of Stevia suitable for Indian conditions: MDS-14 and MDS-13. Ideal conditions for Stevia growth include 150cm of annual rainfall, temperatures between 30-32°C, and well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0-7.5. The document outlines best practices for land preparation, propagation, planting, irrigation, pest and disease control, harvesting, and post-harvest processing of Stevia. With proper crop management, average dried leaf yields of 2500-2700kg per acre can be obtained from Stevia farming

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206 views5 pages

Stevia Plant Farming Guide

The document provides information on farming the Stevia plant. It details the health benefits of Stevia, which include lowering blood sugar and blood pressure. It recommends two varieties of Stevia suitable for Indian conditions: MDS-14 and MDS-13. Ideal conditions for Stevia growth include 150cm of annual rainfall, temperatures between 30-32°C, and well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0-7.5. The document outlines best practices for land preparation, propagation, planting, irrigation, pest and disease control, harvesting, and post-harvest processing of Stevia. With proper crop management, average dried leaf yields of 2500-2700kg per acre can be obtained from Stevia farming

Uploaded by

gladson
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Stevia Plant Farming Information

Guide
Stevia Plant Farming Guide:
Today, we are learning the Stevia plant farming, cultivation practices.

Stevia Plant Farming

Introduction of the Stevia Plant:


Stevia is a shrub-like perennial plant which is used as a sugar substitute and in the treatment of
some health conditions for years. This is also called as “sweet leaf, sugar leaf, and honey leaf “.
The leaf of the Stevia plant is a source of zero calorie sweetener and the sweetness of this plant
more than sugar. The cultivation of Stevia plant is also introduced in India and this is picking up
in a great way. This plant has a property of lowering blood sugar levels, hence this is considered
to be a great plant for diabetic patients.
Health Benefits of Stevia Plant:
Some of the health benefits of Stevia are as follows.

 Stevia may lower blood sugar levels.

 Stevia may control high blood pressure.

 Stevia may beat acne & dandruff.

 Stevia may help in protecting teeth & gums.

 Stevia may help in reducing indigestion & heartburn

 Stevia may help in reducing wrinkles & fine lines.

 Stevia may help in weight loss.

 Stevia may help in healing wounds faster.

Health Benefits of
Stevia

High Yielding Improved Varieties of Stevia Plant in India:


In India, there are 2 most popular verities of Stevia plant developed for low care and high
yielding. These varieties are best suitable for Indian climatic conditions and soils. MDS -14 and
MDS-13 are the improved cultivars of Stevia plant developed for high temperature and
drought/low rainy regions.

Climate Required for Stevia Plant Growth:


Stevia plant crop requires about 150 cm rainfall annually and prefers an average temperature
of 30°C  to 32 °C for its best growth. High temperatures above 45°C and nightly temperatures
below 5°C will damage the crop.

Soil Requirement for Stevia Plant Farming:


Stevia plant grows best in well-drained, rich, red and sandy loam soils. This plant prefers acidic
to neutral soils with fine tilth. Soil pH range should be about 6.0 to 7.5 for its best growth and
yield. In the case of poor soils, applying good organic matter and micronutrients would fetch a
good yield of Stevia.

Land Preparation, Spacing in Stevia Plant Farming:


To break down the clods and make weed-free soil, the land should be harrowed and then
ploughed. 2 to 3 ploughings with a tractor or local/country plough would make the soil fine tilth.
Make sure the land is not susceptible to flooding and pudding. The raised beds should have 12
to 15 cm in height & 50 to 60 cm in width. Row-to-Row distance should be 40 to 45 cm and
Plant-to-Plant distance should be about 30 cm. This calculation gives Stevia plant density as
20,000 to 25,000 plants per 1 acre.

Read: Stevia Cultivation Training In India.

Propagation in Stevia Plant Farming:


In Stevia plant farming, propagation is done by stem cuttings. The length of the stem cutting
should be about 15 cm and should get it from leaf axils of the current year’s growth to have
better yielding results. The best season for Stevia propagation is from Feb to Mar. The cuttings
will be ready for transplanting after 4 weeks of rooting.

Planting Season for Stevia:

Feb-to-March of the year.

Plant Population in Stevia Plant Farming:


Plant density in Stevia cultivation is about 20,000 –  25,000 plants per acre.

Manures and Fertilizers in Stevia Plant Farming:


Stevia crop responds well to fertilizers and manures with lower nitrogen content. It is a good
idea to have organic manures due to slow release of nitrogen. Adding Farmyard manure (FMY),
Vermicompost, cow dung/urine will be beneficial for better crop yield. The fertilizer dose of NPK
of 28:113:113 kg/hectare is recommended for high yield of Stevia crop.

Irrigation in Stevia Plant Farming:


Irrigation can be carried out by traditional methods or drip/micro sprinklers. However, using a
drip irrigation system or micro sprinkler system is best for irrigating Stevia crop. Frequent light
irrigation should be carried out in hot summer months. In the winter or rainy season, this crop
may not need frequent watering. Avoid excessive moisture level in the soil is not favorable for
its growth.

Weed Control/Intercultural Operations of Stevia:


Usually, there are hardly or no pests and diseases found in Stevia crop. If any pest or disease
noticed, spraying neem oil by diluting water is the best organic method. Removal of weeds
should be done manually. Intercultural operations in Stevia crop are easy for labor since the
crop is grown on raised beds. Avoid the flowering of the plant. However, regular weeding @ 8
weeks interval should be carried out.

Pests and Diseases in Stevia:


There are no pests and diseases found in Stevia crop, If anything noticed, spraying neem oil
with diluted water would work just fine.

Read: Project Report on Stevia Cultivation In India.

Harvesting of Stevia:

Usually, Stevia plants become ready for first harvesting when they attain 40 to 60 cm in height
(or) 4 to 5 months after planting. Thereafter, harvesting can be carried out every 3 months for 3
years. The Stevia plants should be cut just before flowering starts as the sweetener in its leaf
would be maximum at this time and also can get good quantity at this point in time. Harvesting
can be done by plucking in small quantities or the whole plant leaving 15 cm from the base.

The yield of Stevia Plant Leaves:


An average yield of  2500 to 2700 kgs of dried Stevia leaves per acre can be obtained with crop
management practices and good variety.

Post Harvesting in Stevia Plant Farming:


As part of post harvesting, Stevia plant branches should be dried in shade for 2 days. Dried
Stevia leaves should be separated, threshed into powder and stored in containers.

Bottom Line of Stevia Plant Farming:


As long as diabetic patients exist in this world, this plant crop never goes down. Excellent
returns can be expected out of Stevia cultivation.

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