Agrotechnology of Stevia culture in Georgia

          The paper presents the results of multi-year research on introduction of stevia culture and agro-technological direction in the humid subtropical zone of Western Georgia. The influence of nitrogenous and organic-mineral fertilizers on stevia productivity, soil and plant processes in field vegetative and vegetative propagation chambers was studied. The optimal ratio and optimal dosages of food elements, agrotechnical systems of vegetative reproduction of plants and cultivation of mother plantations have been established. The nutrient area for vegetative reproduction of the plant has been studied and an effective substrate has been determined. The chemical-technological parameters of stevia and the technological parameters of storage and processing of raw materials have been studied. Based on the received long-term, multi-year data, the suitability of the agro-ecological conditions of the subtropics of Georgia for the cultivation of stevia has been established.