ESTABLISHMENT OF A BIOREACTOR SYSTEM FOR VANILLA (Vanilla planifolia Jacks. ex Andrews) MICROPROPAGACIÓN

Abstract

A bioreactor system was designed and installed for the large-scale micropropagation of Vanilla planifolia Jacks. an orchid of economic importance. The efficiency of the in vitro culture protocol using the conventional method in solid medium was compared with the temporary immersion system in liquid medium. The results showed that cultivation in bioreactors allowed to reach a higher rate of multiplication (12 shoots/explant) in 30 days of cultivation, while in the semisolid medium the rate of multiplication was lower (7 shoots/explant); this indicates that the cultivation system in bioreactors is an excellent alternative for in vitro propagation of this valuable species.