Improved Production of an Economically Important Botanical

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Stevia rebaudiana can be grown in Hawaii for year-round production of a high value non-caloric sweetener. Downturns in Hawaii's agricultural economy make it imperative that new crops and complimentary production methods be established. Owing to climatic conditions in Hawaii three or four potential harvest and re-growth cycles are feasible annually. A possible constraint to a multiple harvest cycle system is the rapid flowering observed in Hawaii grown stevia following field planting. Extracts of Stevia rebaudiana contain non-caloric, intensely sweet glycosides. It is not clear when these commercially valuable compounds reach a peak during plant development as a perennial crop in a tropical zone. This project will determine when levels of botanical extracts of economic importance are highest during plant development, and determine when peak biomass is achieved, in order to understand when to harvest for maximum economic return.