Optimizing Stevia production and response of glucoside profile with soil amendments

昆特伦理工大学可持续园艺研究所（ISH）将与NutraEx食品公司合作。第一阶段项目旨在测试甜菊对各种营养条件和土壤改良剂的反应，以优化被认为是下一代甜菊甜味剂产品的特定葡萄糖苷（即莱鲍迪苷B、C、D、E）。虽然这些成分可以通过育种计划得到增强，但一些研究也表明，通过在体外和田间试验中改变营养成分和添加剂可以增强这些成分。该公司希望为BC省的条件开发最有利的生长条件，生产最高质量的天然甜叶菊甜味剂产品，并管理整个产品周期，使其能够多样化进入专业市场（如有机）。第一个挑战是在寻找专门的品种进行测试之前优化生长条件。该项目将开始与一个共同的甜菊品种，研究个别糖苷的反应，各种修正案和生长条件，甜菊的耐受性，一个共同的根病（腐霉）。在BC条件下的田间试验中进一步优化甜叶菊生产将遵循该项目。该公司将受益于KPU的园艺专业知识，以探索这种新作物的最佳生长条件，KPU将受益于扩大其与当地产业合作的能力，提高其表征植物化合物的能力，并培训学生和新毕业生对我们地区具有高价值的应用研究。

The Institute for Sustainable Horticulture (ISH) at Kwantlen Polytechnic University will partner with NutraEx Food Inc. for a Phase I project to test the response of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni to various nutrient conditions and soil amendments to optimize specific glucosides (i.e. rebaudioside B,C,D,E) which are believed to be the next generation of Stevia sweetener products. While these components can be enhanced through breeding programs, several studies have also shown enhancement by varying nutrient profile and amendments in both invitro and field trials. The company wishes to develop the most beneficial growing conditions with natural amendments for the conditions in BC, to produce the highest quality natural Stevia sweetening products, and manage the entire product cycle to allow it to diversify into specialty markets (like organic). The first challenge is to optimize growing conditions before specialized varieties are sought out for testing. The project will begin with a common Stevia variety to study the response of individual glucosides to various amendments and growing conditions, and the tolerance of Stevia to a common root disease (Pythium). Further optimization of Stevia production in field trials in BC conditions will follow this project. The company will benefit from access to horticultural expertise at KPU to explore optimal growing conditions for this new crop, and KPU will benefit from expanding its ability to work with local industry, increasing its capacity to characterize plant compounds, and training students and new grads in applied research of high value to our region.