Avanços e oportunidades nas abordagens biotecnológicas para cultivo in vitro de Vanilla spp.: uma revisão abrangente

Abstract

Vanilla (Vanilla spp.) is an orchid of high economic value—recognized as the second most expensive spice worldwide—and of notable environmental significance, driven by the rising demand for natural flavorings and the urgent need to conserve native species. However, traditional cultivation methods face severe challenges, including low productivity, susceptibility to diseases, complex management practices, and a reliance on manual pollination, all of which limit supply and increase production risks. Biotechnological approaches, with emphasis on in vitro micropropagation, have emerged as promising alternatives by enabling rapid and large-scale propagation of healthy and genetically diverse plantlets, as well as facilitating the integration of advanced techniques such as marker-assisted breeding and genome editing in the development of improved cultivars. A bibliometric analysis of the literature (2009–2024) reveals a growing scientific interest in vanilla, demonstrated by a marked increase in publications, and maps out the leading researchers, regions, and knowledge gaps that shape new research directions. Based on these trends, future prospects include refining micropropagation protocols and germplasm conservation strategies, applying genomic tools (such as high-throughput sequencing and genome editing) to develop more productive and resilient plants, and implementing integrated genetic conservation measures (both in situ and ex situ) to ensure the long-term sustainability of vanilla cultivation.