Performing Department
HORTICULTURE
Non Technical Summary
Stevia rebaudiana (stevia) is a rapidly emerging new crop in the U.S., grown for the extraction of sweet-tasting steviol glycosides used as non-caloric sweeteners. Most stevia is currently produced in China, though production is increasing rapidly in the U.S. The combination of a favorable climate and existing infrastructure necessary for stevia production in the southeastern U.S. make this an ideal region for production of high quality stevia needed to meet the increasing demand for steviol glycosides. However, U.S. stevia growers confront multiple challenges, including a lack of varieties developed for U.S. conditions, a paucity of information on optimizing production practices, such as planting density, fertilization, weed and disease control, and a lack of information on costs of production, consumer preferences, and potential profitability. The specific objectives of this proposal, which were developed with stakeholders through an SCRI Planning Grant, are to: 1. Develop Best Management Practices to optimize stevia biomass and glycoside production in the southeastern U.S.; 2. Develop germplasm and genetic/genomic resources to enable selection and breeding of stevia cultivars adapted to U.S. growing conditions and producing consumer-desired steviol glycosides; 3. Develop consumer profile and market potential analyses for U.S. stevia products and determine consumer-preferred combinations of steviol glycosides.; 4. Develop cost of production estimates for stevia in different cropping systems; and 5. Conduct outreach programs for producers, extension service providers, and industry professionals. Completing these objectives will contribute substantially to filling the knowledge gaps, andfostering the development of new varieties to meet industry demand for "next-generation" sweeteners.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
30%
Applied
60%
Developmental
10%
Goals / Objectives
The long-term goals of this project are to promote development of a sustainable stevia industry in the United States by: 1) developing information and resources to help farmers successfully produce this emerging crop by optimizing agronomic practices for currently available varieties; 2) developing the genomic resources and understanding of consumer preferences necessary to breed high-yielding, disease-resistant stevia varieties producing consumer-desired steviol glycosides to help food and beverage manufacturers create the next generation of stevia-containing products; and 3) developing cost of production models for stevia in different production systems.In support of our long-term goals, the specific objectives for this proposal are: 1. Develop Best Management Practices to optimize stevia biomass and glycoside production in the southeastern U.S. 2. Develop germplasm and genetic/genomic resources to enable selection and breeding of stevia cultivars adapted to U.S. growing conditions and producing consumer-desired steviol glycosides. 3. Develop consumer profile and market potential analyses for US stevia products and determine consumer-preferred combinations of steviol glycosides. 4. Develop cost of production estimates for stevia in different cropping systems. 5. Conduct outreach programs for producers, extension service providers, and industry professionals.
Project Methods
In order to develop Best Management Practices, we will: 1)Conduct multi-state field trials to determine optimal transplanting date, plant density and overwintering survival strategies for stevia; 2)Optimize nutrient management strategies for organic and conventional cropping systems; 3)Identify herbicides that are both safe and effective for stevia production and assist in obtaining labels for these products for growers; and 4)Elucidate disease cycles of major diseases that occur on stevia in the southeastern U.S. and develop best management practices (conventional and organic) for these diseases. Toenable selection and breeding of stevia cultivars adapted to U.S. growing conditions and producing consumer-desired steviol glycosides, we will: 1)Collect and characterize a broad panel of stevia germplasm to assess variation for adaptation, growth and development, overwintering, disease resistance, biomass and steviol glycoside production in the southeastern U.S.; 2)Generate a genome sequence for stevia to elucidate control of steviol glycoside biosynthesis and facilitate molecular marker development; 3)Generate molecular markers and quantitative trait locifor traits of interest to facilitate breeding of superior cultivars for U.S. conditions and consumer-preferred steviol glycosides. To develop consumer profile and market potential analyses for US stevia products and determine consumer-preferred combinations of steviol glycosides we will: 1)Conduct sensory evaluation to determine consumer-preferred combinations of the steviol glycosides rebaudiosides A, D and M in carbonated beverage and ice cream applications; and 2)Conduct online and in-person surveys to understand consumer perceptions, attitudes and purchasing decisions for products containing steviol glycosides. In order to develop cost of production estimates for stevia in different cropping systems, we will: 1) Develop a capital budget and conduct financial analysis of farmer investment costs associated with stevia production; 2)Develop and analyze farm level cost of production numbers and conduct breakeven analysis associated with stevia production; and 3)Conduct financial analysis of selected crop rotations associated with stevia production and determine cost/benefit ratios for organic and conventional production systems. Additionally, we will conduct outreach programs for producers, extension service providers, and other industry professionals.