Kozik, Elzbieta U.Yucesan, BuharaSaravitz, CaroleWehner, Todd C.2024-09-252024-09-2520202639-6696https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20120https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12491/14168Low temperature is a major limiting factor for the growth and development of many crops, including stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni), a natural low-calorie sweetener. In this study, 14 stevia half-sib families selected from several populations were evaluated for chilling stress using controlled growth chambers. The experiment was set up as a split-plot arrangement in a randomized complete block design. Whole plots were chilling temperatures (2, 0, -2, or -4 degrees C) and subplots were the combination of 14 cultigens and 5 chilling durations (2-10 d of chilling). Genetic differences were large at chilling temperatures of +2 degrees C for a duration of 10 d, 0 degrees C for 8 d, or -2 degrees C for a duration of 6 d. Ten days of chilling induced severe damage in all cultigens except for the three with the highest tolerance (7947-3, 7918-1, and 7686-6). In this study, 5 of 14 cultigens were highly susceptible, 8 were moderately susceptible, and 1 was tolerant after 6 d of chilling at -2 degrees C (7947-3).eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessArticle10.1002/agg2.20120312-s2.0-85118215677Q2WOS:000999043500087N/A