Full Length Research Paper

Efficient in vitro multiplication protocol for Vanilla planifolia using nodal explants in Ethiopia

Zerihun Abebe¹*, Ayelign Mengesha², Alemayehu Teressa² and Wondyfraw Tefera²

¹Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Horticulture and Plant Science Department, P. O. Box 307, Jimma, Ethiopia.

²Jimma Agricultural Research Center, P. O. Box 192, Jimma, Ethiopia.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: zerihun.abebe@ju.edu.et or zerishabe02@yahoo.com or zerishabe@gmail.com.

Abbreviations: BAP, benzyl amino purine; KIN, kinetin; NAA, naphthalene acetic acid; MS, Murashige and Skoog media; RH, relative humidity.

Accepted 9 March, 2009

   Abstract

Vanilla planifolia Andr. is a tropical commercial spice crop known for its popular flavoring substance called vanillin. Vanillin is the second most expensive spice in the world market, next to saffron. Ethiopia has favorable environment for vanilla production and the crop has huge local and international market. There is a soaring investors’ interest to produce vanilla in the country provided there is plenty and reliable planting material supply. In line with this, we report efficient and reproducible tissue culture based mass propagation protocol for elite vanilla clones introduced into the country. Significant difference (p < 0.0001) was observed among selected hormone combinations for rate of shoot multiplication. An average number of 3.12 to 4.17 shoots were obtained after 45 days of nodal culture on MS media supplemented with BA combined with KIN and NAA. The optimum level found was 1 mg/L BAP combined with 1.5 mg/L KIN. Both hormone free and MS media supplemented with different levels of NAA gave 100% rooting for shoots separated and transferred onto rooting media. More than 85% survival rate was achieved during acclimatization. The availability of this protocol is a key step towards large scale vanilla production in Ethiopia. 

Key words: Nodal culture, mass propagation, Vanilla planifolia.