Stevia First Corp. Plans Use of Agricultural Drones to Increase Stevia Leaf Yields

Stevia First Corp. (OTCMKTS:STVF) announced plans for a field-scale study that uses agricultural drones to interrupt stevia’s photoperiod using brief overnight illumination which could produce dramatic gains in stevia leaf and steviol glycoside yields.

As quoted in the press release:

Under laboratory conditions, interruption of Stevia’s photoperiod has been described as delivering dramatic gains in leaf biomass and steviol glycoside content. The researchers report that brief overnight illumination of stevia with red LED light can simulate long-day growth and prevent flowering, which drives increases in leaf mass and steviol glycoside content. These results include a doubling of steviol glycosides within several weeks and extrapolate to a full year production increase offering more than a five-fold gain in steviol glycosides. Stevia First scientists aim to verify these exceptional results and work towards developing feasible technologies that facilitate field-scale deployment of photoperiod-interrupting technology.

Stevia First Corp. CEO, Robert Brooke, said:

American farmers have always been quick to adapt to technological change and reap the benefits. Combining drones with photoperiod interruption for stevia is a radical approach that we’re thrilled to participate in the development of with local growers.

Click here to read the Stevia First Corp. (OTCMKTS:STVF) press release