Optimising Productivity of Stevia Plant in Different Agrological Sites
Stevia plant, native of South America, is a high-intensity sweetener used for centuries. Learn about its characteristics, botany, ecology, and potential in Kenya's Kosirai Division, Nandi County. Explore its uses, benefits, and research objectives for enhancing cultivation success.
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Presentation Transcript
OPTIMISING PRODUCTIVITY OF STEVIA PLANT(Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) IN DIFFERENT AGROLOGICAL SITES IN KENYA SUCH AS KOSIRAI DIVISION, NANDI COUNTY. BY; PRISCA N TANUI MOUNT KENYA UNIVERSITY AT KABARAK UNIVERSITY 6THANNUAL INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH CONFERENCE DATE 13TH-15THJULY, 2016
INTRODUCTION -Stevia plant(Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) belong to the sunflower family: Compositae. -A native of South America-Paraquay. -High intensity natural sweetener-300times sweeter than table sugar. -Used by the people of Paraquay (Guarani) to sweeten their foods and drinks sa early as 1500 years ago.
CHARACTERISTICS -High level of total glycoside -High ratio of rebaudioside:stevioside (11:1)- sweetening components. -Non-fermentable -Non-discolouring -Heat stable at 95 degrees Celcius. -Lengthy life shelf. -No calories-suitable for diabetic patients.
OBJECTIVES -Long term objective; To find out whether climatic and edaphic conditions of Kosirai Division, Nandi County are conducive for Stevia plantation. -Specific objectives; -Determine variation in rainfall annual means. -Determine variation in temperatures -Determine variation in soil pH
-Determine variation in soil salinity -Determine variation in soil texture
BOTANY AND ECOLOGY -A small shrubby perennial plant ,growing to 65cm tall - Self-incompatible -Diploid with 11 chromosomes -Grows well in; -sandy loamy soils -soil Ph range 4 to 7.5 -no salinity -light,medium or heavy soil texture
-no waterlogging -mean annual temperatures 10-27 degrees celcius -altitude of 0-1000m above sea level -mean annual rainfall of 300 3000mm -No known pests and no known diseases.
USES AND BENEFITS -As a natural sweetener in foods and drinks -Weight loss factor -Antibacterial infection -Improves economy especialy in rural communities i.e 1kg of dried leaves-cost about Ksh.105. Half acre may yield about Ksh.20000. Harvested once or twice a year
LIMITATIONS -Cannot be used in yeast bread due to absents of sugars -Cooked foods containing stevia do not turn brown
METHODOLOGY -Sample 20 farms within the division and in each the following instruments will be used accordingly; -Rainfalls-Rain guage -Temperature-Maximum and minimum thermometer -Soil pH -PH Meter and PH Chart -Soil salinity Electrical conductivity(EC Meter)- Laboratory. -Soil texture-Field assessment method(Hand texture chart)
ANALYSIS OF DATA -All the collected data avaraged,are subjected to appropriate data analysis methods, such as; Funtional data analysis Exploratory data analysis Etc
