Stevia rebaudiana with altered steviol glycoside composition

Abstract

This invention relates to Stevia plants characterized by exhibiting a high level of total glycosides, and a high ratio between rebaudioside A and stevioside. Preferably the Stevia plants comprise a level of total steviol glycoside of at least 14%, or of about 14.4% to about 18.8%, and the ratio of rebaudioside A:stevioside is of at least 9.1:1, or of about 9.3:1 to about 11.0:1. This invention also discloses a method for producing Stevia plants characterized in that the level of total steviol glycoside is at least of about 14%, and the ratio of rebaudioside A: stevioside is of at least about 9.1:1, comprising selecting at least two intermating genotypes of Stevia each comprising a ratio of rebaudioside A:stevioside of at least about 9:1:1, and a total steviol glycoside level of at least about 14%; allowing said at least two intermating genotypes to cross pollinate to produce a seed; collecting said seed; and growing said Stevia plant. Also disclosed are seeds and plants obtained from Stevia plants exhibiting high levels of total glycosides and high ratios between rebaudioside A to stevioside.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.