Abstract
A new and distinct Stevia rebaudiana plant named SW 227 is described. The new variety is distinguished from other Stevia varieties by high plant vigor characterized by plant anatomy with extensive stooling and branching; an excellent sweet leaf taste with very low bitterness and aftertaste; and leaves having a rebaudioside A content of 10.7%. Samples have been collected with total steviol glycoside content of 13.3%.
Claims
1. A new and distinct cultivar of Stevia plant named SW 227 as substantially shown and described herein.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as is possible in color illustrations of this type, typical flower and foliage characteristics of the SW 227 line. The plants depicted in the accompanying photographs are approximately one year old.
(2) FIG. 1 is a color photograph of a fully mature SW 227 Stevia plant near the end of the plant's first growing season. The photograph shows the plant from roots to top of the plant.
(3) FIG. 2 is a color photograph of a top view of a SW 227 Stevia plant. The photograph shows the plant's strong stooling habit.
(4) FIG. 3 is a color photograph of a top view of a SW 227 Stevia plant. The photograph shows the plant's extensive branching.
(5) FIG. 4 is a color photograph of the leaves of a SW 227 Stevia plant
(6) FIG. 5 is a color photograph of a single leaf of a SW 227 Stevia plant. The photograph includes the dimensions of the leaf.
(7) FIG. 6 is a color photograph of the flowers of an SW 227 Stevia plant.
DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
(8) When compared to its parent lines, the SW 227 line has a lower percentage of stevioside (1.4% for SW 227 versus 2.12% for SW 129 and 2.26% for selection 395) resulting in reduced bitterness and aftertaste for the SW 227 line versus the parent SW 129 and selection 395 lines. When the leaves of the SW 227 line were compared to stevia leaves grown from commercially available stevia seeds, the leaves of the SW 227 line were sweeter and less bitter than the leaves grown from the commercial seed.
(9) Following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct variety of a Stevia plant known as SW 227. Plant observations were made October 2015, on mature one year old plants grown in a field in Ontario, Oreg. in natural light. The SW 227 line has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where characteristics, such as dimensions, sizes, colors, and other such characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages and that such approximations are not intended to be limiting. It is also to be understood that the phenotype of the variety may be altered by changes with environment, such as season, temperature, light quality, light intensity, day length, cultural conditions, and the like. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2007. Botanical classification: Stevia rebaudiana cultivar SW 227. Parentage: SW 227 stevia line was derived from a 2013 cross between the Stevia rebaudiana clone known as selection 395 (unpatented) and the SW 129 stevia line (patented). Seed parent.Selection 395 cloned by Clinton C. Shock and rooted in Ontario, Oreg. Pollen parent.SW 129 stevia line described and claimed in commonly owned U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,373. Plant (description based on FIGS. 1, 2, and 3): Type.Perennial in climates with mild winter temperatures. Form and habit.Multiple branching bush. Height (from top of soil).75 cm. Width (including flowers).60 cm. Number of nodes on main stem.Varies. Stooling.Prolific branch generation from subsurface root material. Root initiation.8 days. Plant (description based on FIGS. 2 and 3): Number of basal buds.Many. Harvest cycle.Single fall or multiple throughout the summer to early September. Leaves (description based on FIGS. 4 and 5): Length.8 cm. Width.2 cm. Arrangement.Opposite. Shape.Lanceolate, with 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm serrations the length of a leaf. Apex descriptor.Acute. Base descriptor.Cuneate. Margin descriptor.Crenate. Venation pattern.Longitudinal. Color, mature foliage.Upper surface. RHS137C. Lower surface. RHS137C. Color; veins.RHS 139C. Texture, mature foliage.Upper surface. Smooth. Lower surface. Slight pubescence. Petiole length.0.2 cm. Petiole diameter.0.02 cm. Petiole texture.Upper surface: Slight pubescence. Lower surface: Slight pubescence. Pubescence color.Upper surface. RHS 139C. Lower surface. RHS 139C. Stevioside content.1.4%. Rebaudioside A content.10.7%, with up to 14.3% observed. Rebaudioside A as a percentage of total steviol glycosides.80.4%. Ratio of rebaudioside A to stevioside.7.6. Total steviol glycosides.13.3%, with up to 18.3% observed. Leaf harvest period.A single harvest in fall or multiple harvests throughout summer to early fall in Ontario, Oreg. Stem: Length (excluding inflorescence).Varies to 75 cm. Diameter.Varies up to 1.5 cm. Texture.Pubescent. Color.RHS 145B. Flowers (description based on FIG. 6): Inflorescence type.Panicle. Inflorescence width.Varies up to 15 cm. Petal color.RHS N155D. Petal length.0.6 cm. Petal width.0.1 cm. Bloom period.October to December at Ontario, Oreg., with protection from freezing weather required after September. Arrangement.Composite. Shape.Cluster. Fragrance.None. Number of flowers per capitulum.5. Average number of petals per flower.Sympetalous. Peduncle: Color.RHS 145B. Diameter.0.15 cm. Aspect.Perpendicular. Texture.Pubescent. Pedicles: Color.RHS 145B. Diameter.0.03 cm. Aspect.45 degrees. Texture.Pubescent. Disc florets: Arrangement.Radially symmetrical. Shape.Tubular. Phyllaries: Quantity.5. Length.0.7 cm. Width.0.15 cm. Shape.Lanceolate. Apex.Acute. Base.Fused. Margin.Overlapping. Color.RHS 145B. Reproductive organs: Androecium.Stamen quantity. 5. Anther length. 0.4 cm. Anther color. RHS 199A. Gynoecium.Pistil length. 0.8 cm. Style color. RHS N155B. Stigma color. RHS N155B Fruit and seed set: Flowering.Later seed set compared to other known stevia lines. Seeds.Small black achene (3.0 mm) with pappus (4.0 mm) attached, typical of Stevia rebaudiana. Cold hardiness: Hardy to 5 C. (23 F.) at Ontario, Oreg. Heat tolerance: Hardy to a monthly average maximum temperature of 34 C. (93.2 F.) at Ontario, Oreg.
